According to The Evening Standard, Manchester United are considering whether to step up their interest in Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.
What’s the word?
The 22-year-old was the subject of intense transfer speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, but it was suggested that the Magpies’ £50m valuation threw the Red Devils off.
However, The Evening Standard now claim that United’s current injury crisis in midfield – both Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba have been ruled out of action for a few weeks recently – could see them “reigniting their pursuit” of Longstaff.
The report adds that a potential move was expected to be held off until the end of the season, but there may be a rethink about that strategy now, with confidence that he “would fit into their Old Trafford rebuild”.
Time for Garner
Having made it abundantly clear that it was in United’s DNA to give some of the club’s abundance of academy prospects a chance to shine in the first-team, Solskjaer would do well to heed his own words.
“You have to be brave. You have to trust your players and trust the kids. That’s the DNA we have. We do give young players a chance and you won’t really know about them until you throw them into deep water and see if they can swim. Those boys so far have done really well.”
Whilst Longstaff has enjoyed a meteoric rise at St James’ Park that has seen him already play 27 times after coming to the fore in December 2018, the Red Devils could see that exact same path trodden by one of their very own. James Garner has received some glowing endorsements from ex-players and managers alike, and amidst this injury crisis that has engulfed United, surely now is the time for him to receive his opportunity.
Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Man Utd’s history in the January transfer window?
What message would it send out to him if his club who are famed for their trust in youth, were to instead hand that invaluable chance to someone outside of Carrington? United would be better off swerving a swoop for Longstaff, and instead promoting Garner.
Meanwhile, this Manchester United star’s nightmare display against Arsenal give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a major concern.
