Sean Longstaff addresses Newcastle exit rumours amid Man Utd links

Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has admitted Manchester United’s interest in him is “positive” but insists his focus is only on his current club.

The 21-year-old has made just nine Premier League appearances to date after seeing his 2018/19 season cut short due to injury.

Longstaff to Man Utd? Five key things to know…

• Longstaff made his senior Newcastle debut against Liverpool in December 2018.
• To date, he has just nine Premier League appearances under his belt.
• But his impressive outings have sparked interest from Man Utd.
• The Red Devils have already had an initial £25m knocked back.
• And Longstaff says he is staying focused on impressing Steve Bruce.

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But Longstaff did enough during that time to impress Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s Man Utd, with the Norwegian looking to overhaul his squad with young, British talent. An initial £25m approach has already been knocked back, according to reports.

Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have already arrived at Old Trafford and when asked if he could be next, Longstaff replied: “I just keep my head down. I am just trying to get fit – that’s all I can focus on. I am still a Newcastle United player.

“I want to get back on the pitch as soon as I can. That is what I am looking forward to doing.

“I make more and more progress every day, that’s all I look forward to. I can’t wait to get on the pitch and impress the new boss.”

Less than a year ago, Longstaff was playing Football League Trophy matches with Newcastle’s development side and weighing up options to go out on loan in League One.

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Naturally, his turnaround in fortunes has been a lot to take in for the youngster, but he’s still trying to stay focused on impressing new Magpies boss, Steve Bruce.

Longstaff added: “If somebody had said to be me a year ago I would be in this position, I would probably have laughed at them.

“This time last year I was deciding whether to go to League One (Portsmouth) on loan. A year on, you are seeing your name linked with one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“For me, it is all a positive really. It gives you even more confidence. When I was in for a short amount of time people took notice of me. It is flattering but my job is at Newcastle.

“The new boss is coming in and it’s a clean slate for everybody – including me.

“I just get my head down and work on the pitch. Like anybody knows you are no use to anybody if you aren’t fit.”