How Newcastle rejected 'colossal' Man Utd transfer for unsung hero

Suraj Radia

23 Nov 2023 10:59 CST
3 min read

Eddie Howe, Newcastle, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Newcastle’s turnaround since their Saudi Arabian takeover has been nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the vast majority of their squad contains players who were battling Premier League relegation just two years ago.

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And while signings such as Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes have been integral pieces of Eddie Howe’s team, most Newcastle supporters will point out that arguably the most important player in their side has been academy graduate Sean Longstaff.

The 26-year-old was facing an uncertain future under Howe’s predecessor in Steve Bruce, having made just 30 Premier League starts in two years with the former Newcastle boss – a stark contrast to the player who had broken into Magpies’ team under Rafael Benitez and was the subject of a reported £40 million bid from Manchester United in 2019.

Longstaff was into the final year of his contract at St James’ Park when Howe was appointed in October 2021 and the midfielder resurrected his career, culminating in being handed a new deal and featuring in all but five Premier League games last season.

Indeed, Newcastle even equalled their transfer record by signing Sandro Tonali this summer to try and upgrade on Longstaff, however the local lad still found his way into the line-up ahead of his teammate even before the Italian received a ban for gambling offences.

Newcastle’s win percentage with Longstaff in the team is almost 60%, compared to 30% without him, while they concede less goals and have more points per game with him in the side, such is the reliance on the Geordie, who has found himself performing at a Champions League level and on the cusp of a first ever England call up.

Bruce hits back at Longstaff comments

The reversal in Newcastle’s results in the last two years mirrors Longstaff’s journey during the same period and he admitted he was unhappy during Bruce’s time at the club, with his former manager’s coaching preventing him from developing as a player.

© ProShots - Sean Longstaff scored in the Champions League for Newcastle against PSG

Newcastle turned down the approach from United for Longstaff prior to Bruce’s arrival, however the ex-Magpies boss fired back at Longstaff’s comments and insisted a move to Old Trafford was ‘never on the cards’.

"I inherited Sean at a time where a big-money move to Manchester United was on the cards," Bruce revealed to Gambling Zone. "Newcastle were turning down a colossal amount of money, and that was swirling around at the time.

“Sean was recovering from an awful injury at the time. He's entitled to his opinion, and he's shown maturity over the last couple of years.

"He's proven to be a very good player. Sean's move to Man United was never close. He was insistent that it was at one point, but I knew Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and [his assistant] Mike Phelan – it was never on the cards."