Erik ten Hag makes feelings on Scott McTominay clear after Man Utd receive £23m bid

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has made his feelings clear on whether the club should sell Scott McTominay this summer, as interest in the midfielder begins to gather momentum.

Fulham have already seen two bids rejected for the 27-year-old, who is wanted by Marco Silva to replace Joao Palhinha. The Cottagers have now submitted a third offer of £23million, according to the Manchester Evening News, while Galatasaray are keen on the goalscoring midfielder.

But Ten Hag suggested he would loathe to lose the Scotland international after heaping praise on the central midfielder, following his performance in the 3-2 win over Real Betis on Wednesday.

“I am so pleased with the performance of Scott McTominay,” Ten Hag said after the game.

“I am so pleased to have him in my squad, the type of person, such a huge impact on the team, team performances, team spirit. And he is playing more in the advanced position that suits him better.

“He is so important to making goals in my team. I am very happy to have him in my squad.”

United are expected to turn down Fulham’s latest bid for McTominay, who is under contract until June 2025 with the option to extend for a further year. The Red Devils want a bid closer to their valuation of £30m.

While Ten Hag would be reluctant to lose McTominay after he scored seven goals last season, the academy graduate only started 18 Premier League games and may welcome the chance to be a key player elsewhere in the top flight.

He appeared to be close to signing for West Ham 12 months ago in a double deal involving Harry Maguire, only for United to reject the £60m offer for the pair.

Having already spent £52m on 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro and capturing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in a £42m deal, Ten Hag knows he has to sell if he wants to spend more.

PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte is believed to be his next top target and could be available for under £40m, while negotiating a permanent deal fof former loanee Sofyan Amrabat is yet to be ruled out.

But the Uruguayan’s arrival would surely spell the end of McTominay’s career at Old Trafford, with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo already taking up other positions in midfield.