How Man Utd could STRENGTHEN Champions League rivals

Tom Hancock

• 31 May 2023 16:58 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay remains a transfer target for Newcastle, as both clubs prepare for their return to the Champions League next season.

The Scotland international, 26, has been linked with a move to St. James’ Park for some time, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe said to be an admirer.

McTominay still has two years left to run on his Man Utd contract, but he has seen his involvement reduced lately, starting only seven of the 17 games for which he’s been fit since the beginning of 2023.

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According to Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday May 31, Newcastle are continuing to keep tabs on McTominay and wanted to sign him in January.

Romano adds that United have yet to make a decision over their academy graduate’s future, with it currently unclear if or how he fits into Erik ten Hag’s plans going forward.

Given his relative lack of minutes in recent months, though, one wouldn’t be surprised to see McTominay heading for the Old Trafford exit door this summer.

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Useful European experience?

And, with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €28.6m (£24.5m), McTominay could represent a good-value midfield option for Newcastle as they look to bolster their squad in readiness for a European campaign.

Having finished fourth in the Premier League this term, the Magpies will be back in the Champions League in 2023/24 after 21 years away.

There’s not much experience of Europe’s elite club competition in the Newcastle squad – but McTominay has made 17 appearances in it for Man Utd, as well as a further 20 in the Europa League – of which he reached the final two years ago under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.