Kevin Blackwell confirmed this morning that he has received no approaches for the star trio amid reports they are being targeted by Premiership clubs looking to take advantage of United's failure to reclaim their top-flight status at the first attempt.

Tonge is rumoured to be the subject of interest from Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland while relegated Derby County are understood to be monitoring Hulse's position at Bramall Lane.

Bolton Wanderers' admiration of Morgan can be traced back to the Bryan Robson era but Blackwell, who succeeded the former England captain as manager in February, said: "It's impossible for me to say who is or who isn't looking at any of our players.

"But what I can say is that there has been no contact from anybody about them.

"I've not heard anything whatsoever.

"And, in any case, although there are obviously people who will leave, they are definitely not on that list."

Blackwell's hardline stance is the clearest indication yet that United's impressive finish to the Championship season has persuaded him to keep the majority of his first-team squad intact as he looks to build a team capable of challenging for automatic promotion next term.

Tonge's burgeoning partnership with Gary Speed was one of the driving forces behind a run of eight victories in 11 games which saw United come within one match of qualifying for the play-offs while Blackwell has hailed Morgan and Matthew Kilgallon as one of the best central defensive pairings in the division.

Despite failing to score since returning from a double leg fracture in December, Hulse also remains an integral part of Blackwell's plans and the striker will benefit from a proper pre-season.

United, who have admitted that Geoff Horsfield and Paul Gerrard will both be allowed to leave when their contracts expire in the summer, are expected to focus on quality rather than quantity when they re-enter the transfer market.

Talks with loanees Lee Martin, David Cotterill and John Halls will take place shortly while Plymouth Argyle duo Peter Halmosi and Krisztian Timar, as well as Luton Town's young keeper Dean Brill, could feature on Blackwell's shopping list.

Meanwhile, former United defender Phil Jagielka last night won his first England call-up when he was named in Fabio Capello's 31-man squad to face the USA and Trinidad and Tobago. Jagielka joined Everton for £4 million last summer.

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