Fabian Huerzeler praised Billy Gilmour’s focus as he shone in Albion’s midfield.

Gilmour has been consistently linked with Napoli, who had a bid for his services knocked back earlier in the summer.

He came into the side to face Manchester United in the absence of Mats Wieffer and excelled.

Huerzeler stopped short of saying what the next week holds for Gilmour, although he said on Thursday morning that he expects him to stay with the Seagulls beyond the current transfer window.

Speaking after the United game, Huerzeler said: “I’m always very open for players and share my thoughts with them.

“I don’t prefer to talk about these conversations with the players in the public.

“I’m not surprised how he played today. I see him in training.

“I see his attitude and the skill on and off the pitch.

“He was really focussed and it is not so easy when someone talks about you or saying that he is leaving the club to give this performance.

“I am very happy he was this stable in his mind and that is something special.”