Mike Ashley demand to Man Utd now cuts deep as Newcastle United to miss out on millions 

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Newcastle United face off against Manchester United for the 181st time on Sunday but they’ve had even more battles off the pitch.

The animosity runs deep between the two sides and it’s a rarity that a player will cross the divide.

Tensions between the clubs truly blossomed, like an ugly weed, when Manchester United poached Andy Cole from Newcastle United in January 1995, leaving Toon fans devastated.

To this day, it’s the only major signing the Reds have made from St. James’ Park.

Michael Owen made the switch on a free transfer and Martin Dubravka joined briefly on loan but, otherwise, the deals between the clubs have typically been Newcastle signing their cast-offs like Gabriel Obertan and Danny Simpson.

However, Man Utd did attempt to steal another prodigal talent away from the North East in 2019 when they pursued the fresh, exciting, newly-broken into the first team Sean Longstaff.

This time, though, Newcastle stood their ground, even if it’s something they may now regret.

Newcastle demanded £50m from Man Utd for Sean Longstaff in 2019

Back in 2019, Manchester United were looking to rebuild under a new manager. It’s nice to see some things never change in such a turbulent world.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the man in charge, given the job permanently after improving results and morale drastically in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s sacking and guiding the side to an unforgettable smash-and-grab Champions League win over PSG.

Given his first transfer window to mould the club to his image, Solskjaer targeted young and talented British players to front his revolution. Dan James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Longstaff were all in his sights.

But those players’ clubs weren’t daft. They knew Man Utd had money to burn and the willingness to set it alight. Astronomical fees were demanded and paid for their talents, except for Longstaff.

Local lad Longstaff had just broken into the first team under Rafa Benitez with much fanfare. The combative 21-year-old was putting in stellar Premier League performances and quickly becoming a fan favourite.

His potential caught United’s eye after just 12 appearances and he was seen as the perfect partner for Paul Pogba. The water-carrier to allow the languid star to finally shine.

Man Utd opened the bidding at £20m. Mike Ashley immediately hit back with his asking price. Not a penny less than £50m.

Despite spending a combined £160m to bring in Maguire, James and Wan-Bissaka, United baulked at the demand and their pursuit went no further.

United failed to sign a midfielder that window but did recruit Bruno Fernandes the following January, just about the only thing they’ve done right in going on a decade.

Sean Longstaff now has just a year left on his contract at Newcastle

The Newcastle of 2019 is very different to the one of today.

The dream of PIF’s takeover hadn’t even begun with Ashley still in charge. The beloved Benitez left and was replaced by Steve Bruce. Things were not rosy at St. James’ Park.

£20m back then was a sizeable fee and would have covered around a third of their outlay on Joelinton, Emil Krafth and Allan Saint-Maximin that summer.

It was bold and brave to demand such a high fee for a player who had such great promise, but it sadly didn’t turn out that way and Ashley’s demand to Man Utd will now cost Newcastle millions.

Though he has gone on to make over 200 appearances and has a Carabao Cup winners medal to his name, Longstaff has never reached the heights of his early potential.

Now, he warms a seat on the bench and is fortunate if he’s given a few minutes at the end of matches.

With his contract set to expire in 2026, the now-27-year-old may well leave in the summer. In fact, Longstaff has been linked with Man United again.

Speaking on his future recently, Eddie Howe said: “His role is to be ready to play, be ready to come on, and I’ve trusted him in big games where he has come on and played his part,” said Howe.

“His long-term future is slightly more unclear but behind the scenes Sean has been really really good.”

Whatever happens, Newcastle definitely won’t be getting £50m for him.