Ten Hag makes Scott McTominay transfer decision after Man Utd missed £30m deal

Manchester United will not allow Scott McTominay to leave Old Trafford this January with Erik ten Hag believing the midfielder has a key role to play this campaign.

The Scotland international has started just two of United’s 11 matches across all competitions this campaign and has been an unused substitute on five occasions. The arrivals of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat this summer pushed McTominay down the pecking order for this campaign – with West Ham and Newcastle among the clubs monitoring his situation.

Indeed, the Hammers submitted a £30million bid for the 26-year-old that was knocked back by United amid suggestions that the club would cash in on their academy graduate. McTominay remained at United but his lack of first-team action suggested a move could be on the cards in a future window.

While McTominay has been on the fringes of first-team action for United this campaign, Ten Hag has been impressed by his attitude in training and believes he is beneficial to his squad, according to the Daily Star. Furthermore, the midfielder remains committed to United and his preference is to fight for his place in the team.

McTominay enjoyed a sensational cameo role for United against Brentford in their most recent match. The midfielder was a late substitute with Ten Hag’s side trailing 1-0 at Old Trafford, but he netted two goals deep into stoppage time to turn the game on its head and complete a sensational cameo appearance, in which he had just four touches on the pitch.

It was not the first time that the midfielder showed his scoring prowess; he has now bagged over 20 goals for United while he has also been in superb form at international level for Scotland. He has bagged a sensational six goals in six appearances for Steve Clarke’s side this calendar year and harshly saw a stunning free-kick ruled out against Spain on Thursday.

McTominay is under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2025, with the club also having the option to extend that deal by a further year. It now appears that he will remain at United for at least the remainder of this season.

Ten Hag has been hamstrung by a multitude of injuries to his squad this campaign which has decimated his defence, but has also ruled out new signings Amrabat and Mount for periods while youngster Kobbie Mainoo has yet to feature this season due to an injury layoff. The United boss is aware his squad has been pushed to the limit and he is unwilling to sanction McTominay’s exit.