Thomas Tuchel was so interested in signing Scott McTominay that he made a phone call to the Manchester United midfielder.
United made a few changes in midfield this summer with Erik ten Hag keen to re-tool his engine room.
Mason Mount came in and, whilst it took a while, Sofyan Amrabat finally arrived from Fiorentina on transfer deadline day.
Fred moved on as he joined Fenerbahce whilst Donny van de Beek could yet join him in Turkey soon enough.
There could have even been one more departure though as Bayern Munich targeted Scott McTominay…
Thomas Tuchel called Scott McTominay over Bayern deal
Rumours of McTominay being wanted by Bayern really kick-started inside the final days of the window as Sport Bild reported a potential swap involving Ryan Gravenberch.
A move to Bayern seemed bizarre for McTominay but now seems that boss Thomas Tuchel really was keen.
The Athletic now report that Tuchel was behind Bayern’s attempts to take McTominay on loan before the transfer deadline.
It’s suggested that Tuchel even called McTominay to pitch him on the potential move to Bavaria.
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Bayern decision-makers weren’t convinced by McTominay but Tuchel really wanted him and tried to lure the Scot into leaving United.
The deal was pretty much off the table once Gravenberch decided that he wanted to join Liverpool instead, meaning Tuchel missed out.
Champions League draw meant Manchester United were never going to loan McTominay to Bayern
The transfer deadline arrived just over 24 hours after United learned their Champions League group.
Last week’s draw pitted United and Bayern against each other with Galatasaray and Copenhagen rounding out the group.
Once that draw came through, McTominay to Bayern was pretty much out of the question.
United were never going to loan McTominay to a direct Champions League rival and potentially weaken Ten Hag’s options in the process.
Maybe Bayern will come back in for McTominay in January, but they may now prefer to go for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha instead.