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Boost for Newcastle over Longstaff as Solskjaer eyes alternative Herrera replacements

Tom Procter

Thu 18 July 2019 11:45, UK

New Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce may have been handed an immediate boost by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Manchester United manager has been speaking about the recent exit of Ander Herrera, and believes he has a couple of players ready to replace the Spaniard, who has joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

He said (): “Andy [Pereira] I expect a lot more from, Scotty [McTominay] I expect a lot more from. Those two between them had maybe 15, 20 starts last season.

“You expect them to have at least 20 each this year, maybe even more. That’s maybe two players into one that can replace Ander [Herrera].”

With Solskjaer looking at players from his current crop, it could mean the Red Devils are no longer interested in Magpies starlet Sean Longstaff.

The English midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, Newcastle want £50 million for the youngster.

TBR’s view

Of course, anything could still happen over the next few weeks, but Solskjaer sounds like he wants to put his faith in two of his current options.

Given the current situation at Newcastle it would be a total disaster for the club to lose Longstaff, who is a shining light in what are dark times at St. James’ Park.

The club need to keep hold of him and be playing him from the start of the 2019/20 campaign.

It sounds like that there is now a good possibility of that following Solskjaer’s comments.