Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd star can leave once ‘important proposal’ arrives, despite Ten Hag being big fan

Scott McTominay will be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer if a big proposal comes in for him, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The central midfielder has made 24 appearances in all competitions so far this season. He has managed two goals and one assist in that time. He has had to spend more time on the bench in recent weeks as Erik ten Hag is seeing the benefits of selecting Casemiro and Christian Eriksen as his main midfield pairing.

McTominay did get an opportunity against Arsenal on Sunday, though. Casemiro was suspended after picking up five yellow cards and this saw McTominay start in midfield alongside Eriksen.

The Scot held his own against the Premier League’s best team this season. However, Man Utd definitely missed Casemiro’s tenacity and defensive knowhow. After an enthralling match, the Red Devils were on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline.

McTominay will be hoping he has done enough to gain a starting spot for Man Utd’s next game. They play Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

But it is unlikely Ten Hag will select McTominay alongside Eriksen instead of Casemiro, given how important the latter has been to Man Utd’s success this campaign.

McTominay’s contract at Old Trafford runs until summer 2025. But there is a chance he could move on way before then.

Earlier on Tuesday, talkSPORT revealed Man Utd could sell the 26-year-old, alongside centre-back Harry Maguire, at the end of the season. McTominay has apparently received approaches from both Southampton and Newcastle. Maguire, meanwhile, is a target for West Ham as David Moyes looks to replace Craig Dawson.

Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd exit reports

talkSPORT stated that neither player would be allowed to leave Man Utd during the January transfer window, with summer exits far more likely.

Romano has now weighed in on McTominay’s situation. He has confirmed talkSPORT’s information, saying McTominay will be sold if an ‘important proposal’ arrives later this year. That is despite Ten Hag liking what the midfielder has to offer.

“I think in January it’s going to be really difficult because he’s considered an important player,” Romano said of McTominay during an appearance on The United Stand YouTube channel. “Erik ten Hag is convinced that he’s a player that can be really helpful in some key moments of the second part of the season.

“So I think McTominay has a chance to stay until the end of the season. Then in the summer, I would not be surprised if some club like Newcastle – they’ve always been tracking him – will arrive [with] an important proposal, and in that case, there is a chance for him to go.”

Ten Hag right to keep Scott McTominay – for now

It makes sense for Ten Hag to keep McTominay in his squad for the remainder of the season. After all, he could come in useful if Casemiro or Eriksen pick up an injury.

But Ten Hag eventually hopes to move away from relying on McTominay and Fred. They have both come in for plenty of criticism in recent years, particularly from former Man Utd captain Roy Keane.

Clearly, Ten Hag reckons the club can bring in better midfielders. And selling McTominay and Fred would bring in funds for potential replacements.

Newcastle would be a good destination for McTominay. They are on the up under Eddie Howe and could even achieve Champions League qualification for next season.

Despite McTominay’s Man Utd credentials, he may struggle to get into the Newcastle team at first. This is because Howe can already use the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff in a midfield three. But Newcastle would definitely benefit from having McTominay in their ranks in the long run.

Meanwhile, Man Utd could gazump Tottenham in the chase for an Italy attacker, according to Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk.