One of the most surprising transfers of deadline day was completed late last night as Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff joined League Two Mansfield Town for the rest of the season.
The younger of the Magpies’ Longstaff brothers, Matty made his mark in the first team with a winning goal against Manchester United in 2019.
But his career has veered off course somewhat since then.
He spent the first half of this season with Aberdeen but made just five appearances, prompting Newcastle to cut his loan spell short.
Nottingham Forest have previously been linked with Longstaff, but he has instead dropped down to League Two with the Stags, where he will be managed by Nigel Clough.
“To get a good midfielder with Premier League experience is a coup for us,” said the former Reds star, whose side are chasing promotion to League One.
“We’re looking forward to working with Matty and get him playing some regular football.”
The news has been greeted with surprise from some Newcastle fans.
“League Two. He's better than that surely?,” asked one on Twitter.
Another fan agreed, adding: “He’s so much better than league 2.”
A third wrote: “Shocking loan deal that dear me.”
Another weighed in: “Should have joined a championship side. Way way better than league 2 level.”
However, some Magpies supporters were less surprised, with one pointing out: “Let’s be honest, he scored against Man Utd which propelled him, he’s literally done nout since that goal!! Fact.
One fan wrote: “Good move for him, maybe now he has to work to get back into a premier league team. Struggled to get into Aberdeen so about right to start at the bottom and work up.”
Another added: “I'll accept the slating but the longstaff brothers are not premier league standard Newcastle need to rebuild. We are so loyal to our own we don't see the frailties in their game. Best of luck to him but we will have better to replace them.”
Forest were also linked with a move for the older Longstaff, 24, during the window, but a move failed to materialise.
