That's More Like It Sean!

You'd be forgiven for wondering why Manchester United were once willing to pay Newcastle United £50million for Sean Longstaff. After a fantastic breakthrough season under Rafa Benitez, injuries and a dip in form had seen the elder Longstaff fall down the midfield pecking order. In the win against Everton yesterday, we saw a glimmer of the player that drew praise from the likes of Pep Guardiola two seasons ago.

Eyebrows were raised, as they always are these days whenever Steve Bruce releases his team sheet. First choice midfielder, Isaac Hayden again found himself on the bench, Jeff Hendrick continued his run of starting every Premier League game so far this season, and Sean was placed alongside the Irish international for the visit of high-flying Everton.

Sean controlled the Newcastle midfield well with a superb variation of ball carrying and passing, something which you don't always get in our midfield nowadays, as the temptation has always seemed to be that of a Hollywood long ball. If It wasn't for a great save from stand in Everton goalkeeper, Robin Olsen, the NE29 lad would have found himself back on the scoresheet too following a neat Newcastle attack.

It wasn't a completely faultless display. Delivery from set-pieces left a lot to be desired, that's for sure! Even the corner that led to the penalty incident wasn't going to beat the first man, were it not for some brilliant forward play from Callum Wilson. But hopefully we've now reached a turning point with Sean Longstaff and he can get his career firmly back on track. Keeping both Longstaff's fit and injury free will be crucial in the coming months, as rotation will have to come into play in the middle of the park with the busy Christmas period now only weeks away.

It is understood that contract negotiations have begun with Sean, as he and younger brother, Matty are both out of contract in the summer of 2022. If we see a progression of the display seen yesterday, Jonjo Shelvey will certainly have his work cut out getting back into the starting eleven when he returns from injury.