Gary Neville shares fresh Scott McTominay verdict amid West Ham United links
Manchester United are “managing” Scott McTominay out of the club as Eric ten Hag does not want the West Ham United target, Gary Neville has accused.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of Manchester United v Tottenham (19 August), Neville claimed that while Manchester United’s midfield needed bolstering, McTominay is not the answer.
The Scotsman has been linked with a move to the London Stadium, with SixFootTwo reporting (11 August) that despite many midfield additions already this summer, the Hammers could still make a move for McTominay.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Neville said on 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.”
Out of favour
With McTominay seemingly unwanted at Old Trafford, West Ham could have the chance to secure his services. While The Athletic reported (8 August) that ten Hag would rather keep the Scotland international, his position seems to have changed.
The Hammers, per The Athletic (8 August), had a £30million bid rejected by the Red Devils earlier in the window so clearly the value what he could bring to the club.
While he is a typical David Moyes player, perhaps the Hammers’ significant bolstering of their midfield, including the signings of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez, will mean the boat has already sailed for McTominay to move to East London.
However, if Lucas Paqueta makes the move to Manchester City, a door could creak open for the 26-year-old to join his countryman Moyes at West Ham. Furthermore, the Hammers are still looking at midfield additions despite seemingly cooling interest in McTominay.
The Irons, according to David Ornstein (19 August), had a bid rejected for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus. If this deal does not materialise, perhaps McTominay could be the answer.
If Neville’s comments are anything to go by, the sun may have set on McTominay’s Manchester United career.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers’ target is set to undergo a medical ahead of his £17million-plus move.