Newcastle United fans have ridiculed Steve McClaren, after he told the Shields Gazette that Emmanuel Riviere will be like a new signing when he returns to fitness.
Riviere has missed the entirety of the season so far with a knee injury, but he is expected to be available for selection again in the near future.
The Frenchman is back in training, and it seems that his return to full fitness is not too far away.
“Manu Riviere is back in training, so it's like a new signing for us,” the former England boss said. “He’s buzzing around the training field, so that's a plus."
McClaren is clearly enthused by Riviere’s return, but Newcastle fans are not.
The 25-year-old’s stock could hardly be any lower at St. James’ Park, as he struggled so badly last season.
Riviere made 23 Premier League appearances during the 2014/15 campaign, but he only scored once - and rarely looked up to the standard required.
Newcastle fans are not optimistic that Riviere will prove to be the difference maker this time around either, and they certainly weren’t pleased with McClaren’s comments.
Here is the best reaction on social media site Twitter.
Sam Cook @Funguslover
McClaren trolling out the "like a new signing" line, talking about Riviere - a man who hasn't been able to hit a barn door for #nufc. Great.
Ben Fortune @benfortune303
The last thing McCLaren should be doing is taking quotes out of Pardew’s playbook. “Like a new signing”. smh. #NUFC
Shiftz @ShiftzTrapstyle
What #nufc need in the January window - a decent CB, LB and winger.
What we'll get - "Riviere is like a new signing"...
Dave Cowell @davecowell1585
Who had Rivière on "like a new signing" Bingo??? Mine was Stevie Taylor #nufc
Nick Bird @nickbird1982
SMC described the return of Rivière, ST with 1 goal in 25+ appearances, as "like a new signing". Steve, you've just lost me with that #nufc
Richard Easterbrook @MasonEcho
I know McClaren is expected to put positive spin, but describing the return of Riviere to be "like a new signing" is really stretching it.
David O'Neill @DavieONeill
'Riviere will be like a new signing..I'm not worried that we're in the bottom three'. Alarm bells are starting to ring with McClaren. #NUFC
