'Will always hate you', 'Breaks my heart' - Newcastle fans blast Benitez over in-form attacker
Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to blast manager Rafael Benitez for his decision to ship Aleksandar Mitrovic out on loan after the Serbian scored for Fulham against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
The powerhouse forward found himself signing on a season-long loan deal at Craven Cottage on deadline day at the end of the January transfer window, having been cast out of the first team at St James’ Park by the Spanish boss.
Having started the last three games for the London club, the 23-year-old has scored in both of the last two games, which is as many goals as he netted during the first half of the season with the Magpies.
As a result of his fine form, which includes the Cottagers’ second goal in an impressive 2-0 win over runaway Championship leaders Wolves, the Toon Army have criticised Benitez’s decision to axe the 33-cap Serbia international, with some questioning why they let him go to bring Islam Slimani in.
Here, Football Insider has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
Go on mitro lad, show rafa the top class player he has thrown down the dumps #nufc #mitrosonfire
— Daniel (@daniel3105g) February 24, 2018
Mitro having a blinder again for Fulham. 2 goals in 2 games. Looking lean and fit. #NUFC but cant tweet like Ayoze
— Gazza (@Gazonca) February 24, 2018
Mitro who scores his 2nd goal for Fulham…
Nah mate we’ll have an injured Slimani instead????????♀️????#nufc logic..
— Kerry•♡ (@xmiss_kahx) February 24, 2018
I know he has his detractors that wouldn’t agree, but this both breaks my heart and makes me happy all at once… I absolutely love Mitro, and it still hurts to see him in another shirt – but so glad to see him doing his thing again. ???? #NUFC https://t.co/4uEWwSOiD7
— Kris (@geordiekris83) February 25, 2018
Watching champ highlights – Mitro made premier league bound and runaway leaders Wolves look like clowns yesterday, bossed the defence
— Smithyy (@SmithyNUFC1) February 25, 2018
Joselu over Mitrovic. Perez over Merino/Murphy. Love Rafa but sometimes he is a mystery. #nufc
— Highland Geordies. (@NUFC_Oscar86_) February 24, 2018
Mitro's finishing sucks, that's championship defending.
Well we are a championship side and I am not sure that we are better than Fulham or Wolves@rafabenitezweb I will always hate you for pushing mitro out of #nufc
If we got relegated, it's on you
— Matthew Lai (@matthewjai) February 24, 2018
Great goal by Mitro, it was stupid to loan him out. #nufc
— Cheg (@Chegmeister) February 24, 2018
2 goals in a week for my boy mitro still we got slimani ???????? #nufc
— nathan bates (@MajesticMitro) February 24, 2018
Mitrovic made just seven appearances for Newcastle this season before leaving in January, scoring twice, and has a total of 72 outings and 17 goals under his belt across all competitions.
In other Newcastle United news, the mystery of why this Magpies mainstay was missing against Bournemouth has been revealed.