Steve Bruce suggested that he hopes to build his Newcastle United team around Sean Longstaff, and dismissed suggestions that the midfielder is on his way to Manchester United.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as a potential replacement for Ander Herrera, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer.
But Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodwood was left shocked when the Magpies demanded £50million for the midfielder, who has only played 13 senior games for the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his transfer team are said to value Longstaff at closer to £20million, and it remains to be seen whether a compromise deal can be struck in the coming weeks as United look to make him their third summer signing, following the arrivals of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But Bruce - who joined his boyhood club Newcastle this week having resigned as Sheffield Wednesday boss - sent a strong message over Longstaff's future.
"He’s the type of player you want to build your team around, I’ve only seen him for a day, but he has had an unbelievable rise," said Bruce in Shanghai, where Newcastle are taking on West Ham in the third-place playoff at the Premier League Asia Trophy.
"Very much reminds me of a Michael Carrick. I’m not aware that he’s going to United, I’m not aware of that at all."
Unitedforever⚽️
0
he's so much like Carrick and has so much potential.. gonna be a top player if well guided.
Well,I hope your football knowledge is better then me! All I want to live the best days again ! GGMU
Gabriel107
0
Why they sign from other club academy, Man Utd's academy players are good but only need some chances.
fizzbizzie
1
Carrick was brilliant,a legend for us,but do you think he will be as good in modern day football? So for me longstaff is a good player but not what we want!
he definitely will be..he is a CDM of top class and since he left United has been unable to replace him.. even scholes called Carrick the rolls Royce of man utd.. je made the job easy for everyone the defence and attack and his vision is unmatchable.. I would rather have 2 Carrick's in the middle than 2 pogbas..Carrick will so fit in modern day football.. with good tutorship longstaff will be fantastic , he has everything to be Great and his vision is fantastic
Unitedforever⚽️
0
he's so much like Carrick and has so much potential.. gonna be a top player if well guided.
Carrick was brilliant,a legend for us,but do you think he will be as good in modern day football? So for me longstaff is a good player but not what we want!
Niwabmntu
4
pereira is better player than longstaff
fizzbizzie
1
Utd don't need him......Utd need Bruno Fernandez in the midfield.........So keep your boy and build your team around him.........
he's more important than Fernandez.. United has as many players that can play Fernandez role but longstaff role is different
fizzbizzie
3
he's so much like Carrick and has so much potential.. gonna be a top player if well guided.
MisterJohnson
0
Utd don't need him......Utd need Bruno Fernandez in the midfield.........So keep your boy and build your team around him.........
Longstaff plays a different role that Longstaff. that's a very simplistic and unthoughtful comment. They really need both of them.
Veciklrst
1
Utd don't need him......Utd need Bruno Fernandez in the midfield.........So keep your boy and build your team around him.........
tell then dude
Ahmi_Jutt3
8
Utd don't need him......Utd need Bruno Fernandez in the midfield.........So keep your boy and build your team around him.........
DaMhztourage
1
What's the heck we are still talking about this untested academy player, when there are better players elsewhere untapped , even our academy graduates can do the magic ...
vaacnosz
1
Keep building ur team we don’t need him here in mufc
Cazbosuy
0
Please sign another player fro. Africa
dasbcekmn
2
We dont want him..keep him
Mezmptz
1
OlE is very stupid he is only crying for longstsff he must go to Algeria an buy Excellent players.
billcoper
1
His cheeks show he's still a red devil! Send the boy over 😅😉and make Newcastle a shop for Us as is Southampton to Liverpool 😂
Krizz
3
Please why not let him be he's STAFF isn't yet LONG enough for us according to the kind of players we need to be a titles contendersnext season
Kobckrtyz
0
He is just another overrated English player
Kudos to sancho he is trying to make it out of England all the rest hide behind the media talking about lingard is a young lad waiting to develop wtf dude's older than pogba,maguire....
Kobckrtyz
0
He is just another overrated English player
Ole thinks rashford is gonna score 25 goals a season think again all English players are overrated fam
Tikabdeiz
3
why is all the managers now trying to build around a player.are they trying to build the wall of china
Lisbclmt
0
He is just another overrated English player
No he is a good player but l don't know whether he has the temperament to play for a club as big as Manchester United
Kobckrtyz
1
He is just another overrated English player
bomklmnpu
0
Now you are Steve Bruce. We are taking him away coz the player also wants a new challenge with a bigger team
cmartical
0
good keep him plz
TariWang
1
why is every player links with Utd has to make that face. lmao
kurrahunited
4
Newcastle should keep their player.. please man utd sign better players like Bruno. I hate over rated players
Zacbcku
0
why olé wants longstaff while he has a similar player in Tominay? Less talent but hard worker
Thihawin79
2
7m€(EURO) guy for 50m£(pound)
loneavenger
1
Who knew about this guy before United started asking for him? I have never seen him play, but 50M is a lot of money and I doubt he is worth it!
he played only 8 games ..perez played nearly 30 games and he is their star player and they sold him to Leicester for 30m...asking longstaff 50m everyone think united will pay whatever they ask
judikltz
2
Thank God! Like who tf is this guy?
cabacipsuy
3
Who knew about this guy before United started asking for him? I have never seen him play, but 50M is a lot of money and I doubt he is worth it!
loneavenger
4
He saw him only that day and he says he is a player who we can build a team around... Great joke Bruce
Puaiorstuz
2
yes please build around nd lock him inside.. no need that 50M guy