Steve Bruce has insisted that Sean Longstaff won't be sold this summer - despite Manchester United sources insisting the Red Devils will return with a big bid before the window shuts for business.
The ex-Old Trafford skipper wants the midfielder to stay after making a return from knee injury.
Bruce was asked the direct question on whether Longstaff would stay and replied: "We don’t want to sell our best young players, that’s for sure. "So, that won’t happen.
"I’m very confident (he won’t go)."
However, fans will be hoping the situation doesn't have echoes of Andy Carroll's exit from the club in 2011.
Back then Alan Pardew continually responded to talk of him being linked with Liverpool by insisting he wouldn't be sold before he was overruled and Carroll went to Liverpool on deadline day.
But Bruce insisted he was eager to keep the best local youngsters, and he used Matty Longstaff as an example.
He went on: "Sean’s brother played really well in the 20 minutes against West Ham.
"I thought he was excellent.
"There’s nothing better than a young one coming through.
"Probably Sean was thrown in at the deep end and he swam straight away.
"If they’re good enough, there’s nothing better than a young player coming through.
"We’ll try and do that, give them the chance."
