Lots of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by ESPN that Manchester United are considering a January bid for Sean Longstaff.
The Red Devils were interested in signing Longstaff during the summer window though no deal was forthcoming, as the Magpies priced the Old Trafford club out of a move with our £50million asking price.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is again looking to improve his central midfield options in the winter, and has been assured by his board that funds will be made available to sign long-term targets.
Longstaff and Juventus’ Germany international Emre Can are said to be among some of the options being discussed at Old Trafford following a midfield injury crisis, with Paul Pogba requiring surgery to resolve an ongoing foot problem.
James Maddison is Solskjaer’s favoured option to arrive at Old Trafford this month, but there is an acceptance in the Red Devils’ hierarchy that Leicester City will rebuke any approach in the winter as they contest for a top-four finish.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and West Ham United’s Declan Rice are also being considered, and it remains to be seen if any will be targeted with no prime candidate yet emerging.
Would you sell Longstaff to Manchester United this month?
Yes
No
Longstaff has started nine of our 21 Premier League games played under Steve Bruce, and was on the bench when we lost at home to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup Second Round.
Seven of the 22-year-old’s nine starts in the top-flight came within the first ten fixtures of the term, having struggled to re-establish his presence in the side after being sent off against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October.
The 5 ft 11 club product ranks third of our six central midfielders for minutes played in the Premier League, and grades third for successful tackles per 90 minutes with 2.2 from 3.5 attempts, according to WhoScored data.
Longstaff also ranks fourth for interceptions (1.3) and clearances per 90 minutes (1.3), is second for fouls committed (0.9) and successful aerial duels (1.3) and is first for passes blocked (0.8).
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to reports that Manchester United are considering a January move for Longstaff…
I’d carry him to Man Utd! Overhyped if they come in with £50million I’d snap their hands off. Looks championship level at the minute. #nufc
— PAUL (@nufcneverdies) January 2, 2020
Take him
— Dale-graham (@DaleGraham26) January 2, 2020
If he goes for £40 mil then i will be happy
— Mason (@Mason_Ferrier14) January 2, 2020
If it happens watch him flourish like many that have been through St James they are treated and coached better elsewhere, only Raffa had the skills and look where that went #feederclub
— John Scorfield (@Jaffa956) January 2, 2020
Sell so we can get a striker who can score goals
— adam thompson (@histonadam85) January 2, 2020
Class last season, very average this season. Got to keep hold of him though.
— Jean Maniah (@Jeanmaniah) January 2, 2020
Why would they want him? Sure he played well last season but he’s lucky to be near our team at the moment and we’re terrible!
— bigmickeyk (@bigmickeyk) January 2, 2020
Good 👋🏻
— Toon In Toon Out (@toonintoonout) January 2, 2020
Looked like he was already playing for them the other day got an assist under his belt
— Liam Kitchen (@_Kitchy_) January 2, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club will look to sell a £54k-p/w player in the January market as part of a vast clear out at St. James’ Park.