Newcastle United on the verge of signing Manchester United midfielder

My Football Facts ⇒ Articles

By Martin Graham | 22nd Mar 2023

Reports indicate that Scott McTominay could be making the switch from Old Trafford to St. James’ Park in the summer to play for Newcastle United.

The Scottish midfielder is a Manchester United academy graduate and has been in the first team since 2017. Having been through tough times with the side and dealt with the ire of the angry Old Trafford faithful for six seasons, the 26-year-old is reportedly considering his future.

He has also dropped down the pecking order at the club under Erik ten Hag who prefers new signings Marcel Sabitzer, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen as midfield pairings for Fred, with whom he formed a partnership from 2018 until now.

Injuries have contributed to his current situation at the club but ten Hag’s decision to go another direction looks set to continue as the Dutchman has linked the club to a few midfielders. United are focused on convincing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong to leave the Spotify Camp Nou and switch to Old Trafford. This move does not have potential but it sounds a note of warning to the Scotsman.

This is what has influenced his decision to consider other options as they come in the summer. Top of those options is Newcastle, managed by Eddie Howe who is reportedly a big fan of the Scottish midfielder.

He was approached by the Magpies in the January transfer window as was United, but the Red Devils refused to sell to Newcastle who were their direct rivals in the top four race. Their stance, however, could change in the summer with ten Hag’s pursuit of De Jong and other targets, and Newcastle are willing to make a second bid for McTominay.

The 26-year-old has had only seven starts in the league this season with a further 11 off the bench, limiting him to just 18 matches in the league. Fitness issues have contributed as stated before, but he has also struggled for gametime in other competitions. The idea of Newcastle appeals to him because the club’s representatives had assured him of more gametime should he make the switch.

McTominay has two years left on his current contract with United and could be let go for around £30 million. Those funds will be diverted to the chase of Harry Kane and De Jong, along with other midfield targets identified by Erik ten Hag for his second season at the helm of the club.