Sean Longstaff’s career would be very different had he left Newcastle United to join Manchester United in 2019.
The Geordie midfielder had broken into the first-team at St James’ Park, and his performances had attracted interest from English football’s biggest club.
Manchester United wanted to sign Sean Longstaff six years ago, only to be put off by the price. It was reported that Newcastle United wanted £50million for Longstaff – a price that left Man United officials stunned.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Sean Longstaff was happy he missed out on Manchester United transfer
A deal was not agreed between the Magpies and the Red Devils, with Longstaff remaining on Tyneside.
During an interview with FourFourTwo in March 2024, he admitted that he was ‘happy’ that the transfer had not gone through.
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” he said.
“If that move [to Manchester United] had happened, I’d never have been about for the Newcastle takeover, I’d never have met this manager [Eddie Howe].
“There are so many things I wouldn’t have been able to do. I’m happy it didn’t happen in the end, because what I’ve gone on to achieve over the last two years – scoring in a League Cup semi-final, getting to play in a cup final, playing in the Champions League – have been things I never thought would happen playing for Newcastle.”
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Sean Longstaff will be even happier he stayed at Newcastle United
Fast forward 12 months and Longstaff will be even happier that he is still a Newcastle United player.
As well as the milestones he listed, Longstaff is now a trophy winner with Newcastle United. He was part of the squad that won the 2025 Carabao Cup final, despite not featuring in the game at Wembley.
But Longstaff played a pivotal role in the journey to the final, netting the decisive spot kick in the penalty shootout win over Nottingham Forest in the second round. Had that not gone in, Newcastle United’s trophy drought might still be ongoing. Eddie Howe has called Longstaff an ‘unsung hero’ in the past, and that is certainly the case when it comes to the Magpies’ Carabao Cup heroics.
Longstaff made history – history that he would not have been part of had he joined Manchester United in 2019.
Six years later, he could have a fresh chance to move to Old Trafford. It has been reported that Man United want Longstaff again, with his Toon contract due to expire in 2026.
Having celebrated missing out on a move to Manchester United in the past, it will be interesting to know what Longstaff’s stance is now.