Top five players to play for both Manchester United and Newcastle United

The competition between the Tyneside giants and Manchester's Red Devils has been particularly intriguing over the last several decades. As both teams set their sights on securing the first trophy of the season in this year's League Cup final on Sunday, let us take a moment to reflect on some of the remarkable players who have represented both clubs.

In this article, let’s take a look at the top five players to have played for both Manchester United and Newcastle United.

5. Danny Simpson

He primarily occupied the position of right back, yet he possessed exceptional potential to advance along the flanks and provide enticing crosses into the penalty area for forwards to exploit. He emerged from the Manchester United Youth Academy. Having come up through the ranks into the reserve squad in 2005. However, with Gary Neville and Wes Brown positioned ahead of him in the hierarchy, he struggled to secure playing time at Manchester United, ultimately making only three official appearances for the club, despite undertaking several brief loan spells across the country.

In 2009, he joined the Magpies and played a solid role in Newcastle's ascent to the Premier League. During this time, he secured his second Championship title and developed a strong partnership on the right flank with January acquisition Wayne Routledge. Simpson maintained his position as right-back through consistently impressive performances, ultimately making a total of 123 appearances for the Magpies.

4. Louis Saha

He represented a new generation of strikers, merging the characteristics of a traditional, robust target man—such as strength, power, ability to hold up play, and heading skills—with remarkable speed and outstanding technical proficiency. Most notably, he possessed the ability to score a wide variety of goals, doing so with impressive consistency.  He began his career at Metz and gradually grew up the ranks after he was loaned to Tyneside in 1999. During his time with The Magpies, he made 11 appearances and found the net once. However, his tenure at Old Trafford was marred by injuries.

However, he achieved notable success, securing the Premier League title on two occasions, winning the UEFA Champions League in the 2007-08 season, and netting six goals during the League Cup campaign. Wayne Rooney regarded him as one of his preferred strike partners during their tenure at the club. He spent five seasons at Old Trafford from 2004 to 2008, making 86 appearances and scoring 28 goals.

3. Michael Owen

Owen won both Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year in 1998 while also picking up his first Premier League Golden Boot. He stands as one of only two English players to have claimed the Ballon d’Or in more than four decades, with Kevin Keegan having won the prestigious award in 1978 and 1979. While his most illustrious career moments occurred at Liverpool, he may have harbored some regrets regarding his time at Newcastle United, the only club he might have wished to reconsider after joining the Magpies.

His game time was restricted by a succession of injuries, resulting in only 30 goals over four seasons with the club. In 2009, he finally achieved his desire to transfer to Old Trafford after Cristiano Ronaldo's exit to Real Madrid. Owen secured the Premier League title in the 2010-11 season, the League Cup in 2009-10, and the FA Community Shield in 2010. During his three years with the Red Devils, he made 31 appearances and netted 5 goals before retiring following a brief loan at Stoke City.

2. Peter Beardsley

Manchester United supporters may have forgotten him, yet he was associated with the club during his lengthy one-year loan period at Old Trafford, where he made only a single appearance. He is predominantly recognized for his contributions at Newcastle United and Liverpool, with his time at the Magpies earning him the most acclaim.

Beardsley quickly endeared himself to the Newcastle supporters by both scoring and assisting in remarkable goals. He celebrated the team's promotion alongside his teammates, who were led by Kevin Keegan during his last season as a player. Beardsley was honored as Newcastle United Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, 1984-85 and 1985-86. Throughout his tenure with the Magpies, he achieved an impressive tally of 61 goals in 147 appearances.

1. Andy Cole

Cole's professional journey was shaped during his tenure at Manchester United. However, his initial passion lay with Arsenal, where he progressed through the youth system but only made two appearances for the senior team. In 1993, he became the most expensive player in Newcastle United's history upon his transfer. His impact at St. James' Park was remarkable, as he netted 12 goals in just 12 matches after joining mid-season, playing a crucial role in the team's promotion to the Premier League. Cole's striking partnership with Beardsley proved to be a formidable challenge for other teams in the league, resulting in an impressive tally of 55 goals in 70 appearances for Newcastle.

He caught the eye of Old Trafford and subsequently transferred there in 1995. As a member of the treble-winning team, he secured five Premier League titles with the Red Devils, along with a UEFA Champions League title and two FA Cups. Although he was considered one of the finest strikers of his era, his achievements did not receive the full acknowledgment they deserved. During his six-year tenure at the club, he netted 93 goals in 195 appearances for Manchester United.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports