Scott McTominay is not ‘untouchable’ at Manchester United but Fabrizio Romano believes the Premier League giants would only sell the Scotland international for a big fee.
The irony is not lost on anyone. As Erik ten Hag found himself enduring the most turbulent period of his Manchester United career, the embattled Dutchman was saved from further pressure by two players he seemed keen to cash in on during the summer transfer window.
Harry Maguire, a £30 million bid ‘accepted’ from West Ham in August, has been colossal in the absence of Lisandro Martinez, rediscovering some of the form which made him the planet’s most expensive centre-half only a couple of years ago.
Scott McTominay could have joined Maguire at the London Stadium. Thank the lord he didn’t, the Carrington graduate popping up twice at the death against Brentford before repeating the trick at Sheffield United. Only a ridiculous offside decision denied him another vs Fulham on Saturday.
Scott McTominay to stay at Manchester United
“For Scott McTominay, the situation has not really changed for a year now,” Romano tells Caught Offside. “The feeling has always been that he’s not untouchable for Man United.
“But it would have to be an important proposal for them to consider letting him go. They rejected £20 million from West Ham in the summer. Unless they receive important money, they are very happy to keep him.”
Say what you want about McTominay’s suitability – he still feels like a square peg in a round hole when fielded as a number six or a number eight by Ten Hag – the 26-year-old’s eye for goal is an attribute which marks him out in a United side perennially wasteful in the final third.
Romano, meanwhile, believes that Casemiro’s recent injury only increases the chances of him remaining until the summer at least. That is despite talk of a potential winter move to Newcastle United.
Newcastle move unlikely
“McTominay has always been an important option in the rotation,” the reporter adds. “He’s always very serious and professional and he loves the club. So United appreciate him, even if he’s not untouchable.
“I think he has a chance to stay at the club until the end of the season. Especially with Casemiro injured and not at his best up to now.”
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