Manchester United transfer news: Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff dismisses speculation over Old Trafford move

The 21-year-old broke into the Magpies' first-team impressively before his season was cut short by injury

Newcastle starlet Sean Longstaff has distanced himself from speculation over a possible move to Manchester United.

The 21-year-old, who broke into the Magpies’ first-team impressively this season over the course of a 13-game run, emerged as a surprise target for United as part of their summer overhaul.

A figure of £20m was touted for the prospect, who is still recovering from ligament damage in his knee that cut short his season, however, Longstaff insisted despite being flattered by the rumours, he is intent on continuing his progress at St James’ Park.

“It shows how far I have come,” Longstaff said. “If someone told me at the start of the season I’d be getting linked with these teams I’d have laughed.

“I’m massively flattered to have my name even mentioned in those conversations but like I said, I’m 100 per cent focused on Newcastle and trying to get fit and get back in the team here.

“I have had a small taste of it, and I want more. I want to get fit and be in for a whole season.”

Longstaff admitted that he’d struggled to overcome a “horrible spell” on the sidelines and had only recently “learned to walk again”, yet remains hopefuly he can return in time for the start of the season.

Sean Longstaff is recovering from serious ligament damage in his knee (Getty) (Getty Images)

“I was in a brace for eight weeks and had to learn to walk again,” Longstaff said. ”Learning to be more confident with the knee and putting load into it. Doing simple things again. Then jogging and running and weights in the gym

“I was flying at the time and I broke in the team and it was going well and it got ripped away which was not nice. Players get injuries but at the time it felt like a blur. Going from the highest of highs to rock bottom, and the negative thoughts come and you wonder if you’ll get back there.”