Manchester United are reportedly prepared to entertain offers for midfielder Scott McTominay in January amid interest from Bayern Munich.
The Scotland international played second fiddle to Casemiro and Christian Eriksen during the 2022-23 season and was restricted to just 10 starts in the Premier League.
As a result, a summer exit was expected to materialise, with all of West Ham United, Newcastle United and Fulham thought to have been interested in a deal during the most recent window.
However, with Fred leaving for Fenerbahce and Marcel Sabitzer returning to Bayern Munich following his loan spell, Erik ten Hag opted to keep McTominay on the books at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old made his first Premier League start of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, but he cut a frustrated figure as the Red Devils suffered a 3-1 home beating to the Seagulls.
© Reuters
Following that disheartening loss, McTominay was allegedly involved in a dressing-room fracas with Bruno Fernandes, while Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof were also said to have come to blows.
Such reports have since been denied by the club, but minutes could become more sparse for McTominay when Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Fiorentina loanee Sofyan Amrabat recover from injuries.
The 26-year-old's contract runs until 2025 with the option of an additional 12 months, but according to Football Insider, Man United would be prepared to sever ties with him in January.
German champions Bayern are believed to be weighing up an approach for McTominay, having seen a summer move for Fulham's Joao Palhinha collapse on deadline day.
The Bavarians were expected to reignite their interest in Palhinha in 2024, but the midfielder has since signed a new contract at Craven Cottage, forcing Bayern to scope out alternative lynchpins.
© Reuters
McTominay is not believed to be in Ten Hag's long-term thinking, and the Red Devils are willing to entertain appropriate January bids in order to raise funds for their own winter business.
Despite McTominay's status as a peripheral player, Man United are supposedly hopeful of garnering a sizeable fee through a summer sale, having slapped a £40m asking price on his head over the summer.
The Scotland international has spent 21 years with Man United since joining their academy in 2002 and has now played 212 games for the club, scoring 19 goals and registering five assists.
McTominay's indifferent club form has coincided with a remarkable run in the Scotland team, whom the midfielder has scored six goals for in their opening five Euro 2024 qualifying matches, including a brace against Spain in a 2-0 win six months ago.
However, the 26-year-old is expected to be dropped to the bench for Wednesday's Champions League group-stage opener against Bayern Munich.
Ben Knapton
