Manchester United ace could miss out on summer exit due to his £40m price-tag
Manchester United may have to reduce Scott McTominay’s price-tag this summer with Premier League rivals Newcastle reluctant to stump up £40 million for the Scotland international.
New owners or not, Financial Fair Play pressures mean Erik ten Hag and co are under pressure to sell before they can spend really big money this summer. The Dutchman’s hopes of moving onto ‘stage two’ of his Old Trafford project depend on whether or not he can first get a handful of seldom-seen players out the door.
Leon Bailey, Dean Henderson, Anthony Elanga, Donny Van de Beek, Alex Telles and Brandon Williams are among those facing an uncertain future with the Red Devils. Offers for Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay will also be considered; the England and Scotland internationals two of United’s most ‘sellable’ assets despite their poor form in 2022/23.
Manchester United need to sell
West Ham are keen on Maguire. David Moyes admitted to having considered Maguire during his short-lived spell in the Man United dugout a decade ago, and it’s not hard to imagine the former Leicester City stopper reviving his career under a coach who coaxed career-best displays out of Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna.
Newcastle, ESPN add, are admirers of Scott McTominay.
Like Maguire and West Ham, Newcastle looks a sensible destination for the Carrington graduate. Eddie Howe has enjoyed huge success with similarly all-action midfielders such as Sean Longstaff, Joelinton and Joe Willock. McTominay, arguably lacking the technical ability to thrive under Ten Hag, could be a man reborn in a box-to-box role on Tyneside.
Newcastle, however, are unlikely to pay the £40 million Manchester United want.
Only time will tell whether United are willing to reduce McTominay’s price-tag. The Red Devils may have little choice but to do exactly that, funds needing to be freed up before Ten Hag can step up his interest in the likes of Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo.
Scott McTominay is ‘perfect’ for Newcastle
“I think he’s perfect (for Newcastle),” former Liverpool, Tottenham and Fulham midifelder Danny Murphy tells talkSPORT of McTominay.
“Some players have qualities which suit a manager’s philosophy. United want to play a different way under Ten Hag. He likes possession; technically-gifted footballers who dictate play. Eddie Howe likes to play a different way, and I think it makes sense.”
“For the way Eddie Howe plays, he is perfect. He’s super athletic, box-to-box, really hard-working, good at spotting danger, decent with the ball.
“You could argue they’ve got Longstaff who fits that role. But you’re talking about a club hoping to be in the Champions League, which means you play high quality games. They need competition for places. I think McTominay would be a super signing for them.
“I think he’s perfect.”
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