Man Utd target Longstaff calls talk of £50m transfer ‘positive’ after Newcastle ace came close to League One loan just 12 months ago

SEAN LONGSTAFF admits he is treating speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United as a “positive”. The Newcastle midfielder has emerged as a surprise target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having played just eight times for the club last season. And the 21-year-old says being linked with a switch to United makes him laugh […]

SEAN LONGSTAFF admits he is treating speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United as a “positive”.

The Newcastle midfielder has emerged as a surprise target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having played just eight times for the club last season.

PA:Press Association

And the 21-year-old says being linked with a switch to United makes him laugh – because 12 months ago he looked destined to drop down to League One.

Longstaff looks likely to remain on Tyneside with United’s valuation of £25million a long way off the kind of money Newcastle would want for their academy product – and the midfield is happy with that.

He told the Chronicle: “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 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.”

Longstaff made a huge impact in the first team last season, only to see his campaign cut short by a knee ligament injury.

But he is now hopeful of playing a major role under new manager Steve Bruce when the Premier League season kicks off in three weeks.