Man Utd handed BOOST as Bayern enter January race for UNWANTED Red Devils star
Cameron Smith
- 17 Sept 2023 18:14 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is Bayern Munich’s back-up plan if they fail to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham during the January transfer window.
Bayern were on the verge of signing Palhinha on Transfer Deadline Day, but Fulham pulled out of the deal at the last minute, despite the player undergoing his medical and performing media duties in Germany.
The Portugal international has now signed a contract extension at Craven Cottage - which runs until 2028 - but Bayern are still expected to return for Palhinha in January.
READ MORE: Chelsea RUINING wonderkids with CRAZY transfer policy
The player himself was reportedly left disappointed by his failed move to Bavaria, but Fulham weren’t willing to sanction a sale without a replacement lined up so late in the window.
Man Utd and Scotland star McTominay was one option being considered by Fulham, but the 26-year-old was not keen on leaving Champions League football for a likely relegation battle in the Premier League.
Furthermore, Bayern are now keen on signing McTominay in January, if their hopes of signing Palhinha end in disappointment.
READ MORE: Carragher proved right about Casemiro's Man Utd transfer
McTominay has started just one Premier League game for Man Utd so far this season - the 3-1 defeat to Brighton - while he had mustered just seven minutes of action in the preceding four league matches.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel has stated his desire to sign a number six on multiple occasions in recent weeks, but he started with the Joshua Kimmich-Leon Goretkza duo yet again in the 2-2 draw versus Bayer Leverkusen.
McTominay could fix this issue, although his best form over the past 12 months has come in an unorthodox right-wing position for Scotland.
Erik ten Hag forcing McTominay out?
Back in August, Man Utd legend Gary Nevile claimed that Erik ten Hag was attempting to force McTominay out of Old Trafford.
He told Sky Sports: "What's clear is that Manchester United's midfield needs bolstering. Ten Hag wants a number six who can play alongside Casemiro and, at the moment, the club can't get players out to be able to fund that.
"If they look at the first two weeks, they have to fund it or there will be a big problem. What is clear is that Ten Hag doesn't want to revert back to Scott McTominay.
"With Fernandes on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn't look capable of functioning as one. Does he go back to McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It's almost as if he is managing him out of the club."
