Danny Mills has said that it “makes no sense” for Manchester United to be trying to sign Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.
A report earlier in the transfer window [Evening Standard] claimed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on bringing the 21-year-old to Old Trafford.
Speaking to Football Insider, however, Sky Sports pundit Mills said that with Scott McTominay already in the Red Devils’ ranks, the club should think twice about trying to sign Longstaff.
“Why are they interested in Longstaff when they have McTominay? It makes no sense,” Mills said. “Surely they would be buying like-for-like. Is Longstaff better than McTominay? I’m not sure he is.
“I don’t see what Longstaff would add to Man United. The club’s transfer policy just seems a little bit slapdash. I don’t even understand what their policy is.
“Sure, they’re trying to buy young players with potential. But they already have a decent young central midfielder.”
OPINION
Mills makes a great point here. McTominay made 16 Premier League appearances last term, chipping in with two goals. What’s more, he made one clearance per game, on average, in the English top flight. In the Champions League, McTominay was even more impressive, making three tackles and one key interception on average in each of his three appearances in the competition. So the question should then be asked: Why would Solskjaer want to sign Longstaff if he has McTominay? The players play in similar positions and having both in the team would mean they would be fighting for playing time. It would be better for Solskjaer to pick one or the other and stick with them so that whoever he picks get regular game time. As for Newcastle, it would be terrible if the Magpies lost Longstaff since, before his injury, he was a key part of the team and looks like he will settle straight back in when he recovers.
