Manager Steve Bruce has called on midfielder Sean Longstaff to focus his attention on Newcastle United, rather than entertaining a potential move to Manchester United.
During the summer transfer window, Longstaff was frequently linked with a switch to Old Trafford, only to ultimately begin his second senior campaign at St James' Park.
Speaking before Longstaff helped the Magpies defeat United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, Bruce said that he wants the academy graduate to ignore any talk about his future in the media.
Bruce is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "I think Sean now needs to concentrate on his own performances, rather than worrying about speculation and tittle-tattle. I don't think there was any real legs in the Manchester United story.
"Whether there was interest, I've never really asked the question. Distracted? You are a young lad, so you are going to be. He's got to learn to put that aside and just get on with the job in hand, which is playing for us."
Despite his emergence in the first team, the 21-year-old has still only made 18 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Darren Plant
