Manchester United could reportedly approve the big sale of midfielder Scott McTominay when the transfer window re-opens in January to raise funds for new arrivals.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United could try to nudge Scott McTominay towards the exit door in the upcoming January transfer window and believe the potential sale of the Scotsman would generate “big funds” despite his fringe role at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have endured a tough start to the 2023/24 season as they have secured just six points from the 15 available in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag would have hoped that the club could use the momentum garnered from the end of the previous season as confidence that they could perhaps challenge the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal. Yet, the signs are looking ominous that this may be some way off.
Their form is made to look even worse considering Manchester United spent a grand total of £170 million during the summer transfer window on players such as Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, and Mason Mount, among others.
Although any of the new signings have not really hit the ground running as yet, Ten Hag wanted more bodies through the door, and for the Dutchman to have been backed more, players needed to be sold in order for the club to buy more in a bid to avoid FFP complications.
United struggled massively to offload their deadwood, and their inability to move on the likes of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, and Donny van de Beek meant they were unable to bolster their defence and failed to bring in a senior striker.
McTominay, for one, was subject to transfer interest from West Ham in the summer, while Turkish giants Fenerbahce also made a late attempt to sign him. Ultimately, he remained at the club even though he had been overlooked by Erik ten Hag in previous matches, despite the obvious midfield issues.
He started in an unorthodox right midfield role in the abysmal 3-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford over the weekend. But his 15 passes and his minimal involvement mean the Scottish midfielder may well have blown his chance to impress and get back his position.
The Red Devils know they need to be creative to bring in any reinforcements in January following a summer window of big spending, and they could sacrifice McTominay to fund their winter business. Any sale of an academy graduate would be significant in financial terms because it would represent pure profit on the books.
Since breaking through into the first team, the 26-year-old has gone on to make 212 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit and has scored 19 goals along the way. United are currently facing a midfield crisis, but Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat are expected to return on short notice, while Kobbie Mainoo could be fit in the New Year, which could pave the way for McTominay’s departure in the January transfer window.
Despite Ten Hag probably not seeing the Scottish international as part of his plans moving forward, he has admirers from across the Premier League and even abroad. Newcastle United, West Ham United, Fulham, and even Bayern Munich are eyeing a surprise move.
