Former Man Utd defender Paul Parker has labelled Scott McTominay’s agent a “liar” over “stupid rumours” that the Red Devils midfielder could move to Newcastle.
The Red Devils are unlikely to allow any squad players to leave in this transfer window with Erik ten Hag reportedly limited to loan signings in January.
However, the Daily Telegraph recently claimed that Newcastle had ‘expressed an interest’ and ‘will bid if they are offered any encouragement from Old Trafford to do so’.
But another report this week insisted Man Utd will keep McTominay until the summer despite being ready to ‘cash in on’ the Scotland international and captain Harry Maguire.
And Parker reckons the speculation about McTominay’s potential move to Newcastle was “made up” by the Man Utd player’s agent “who is a liar”.
Parker told Apostagolos: “I have read some stupid rumours about McTominay moving to Newcastle, which I think is a lie. That story was made up by his agent who is a liar.
“Newcastle would never want McTominay. He wouldn’t be a reinforcement for their midfield, they need better players. They already have Sean Longstaff who is a bit like McTominay and they don’t need more players with that kind of abilities.”
Parker says Man Utd “cannot rely” on McTominay to provide back-up for Casemiro with the Red Devils in “major trouble” if the Brazilian gets injured.
The former United defender added: “I would say that Man United needs a backup for Casemiro. Erik ten Hag cannot rely on Scott McTominay as the cover for Casemiro, he needs stronger competition in the midfield.
“Also, it is too fragile to only have one good defensive midfielder. If he gets injured Man United will be in major trouble, we saw that against Arsenal.”
Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio has claimed that Newcastle see Scott McTominay as the “cherry on top of a cake” but not a “must do signing”.
Di Marzio told soccernews.nl: “As a player Scott McTominay fits well to Newcastle but it also depends on which other players they are signing at that position.
“I would not say that he is a must do signing for Newcastle at the moment as the club are more seeing him as the cherry on top of a cake at this moment in time.”
Roy Keane recently admitted that he thinks McTominay and Fred have to be phased out of Ten Hag’s side if they want to move on from “problems of the past”.
“I think the last few days have been difficult with the dropping points last minute against Palace and the defeat today,” Keane told Sky Sports earlier this week.
“So yeah that’s what the game does to you. United weren’t at their best but you think could they have hung on for the draw, taken a point and move on.
“But it goes back to where United made progress, but then come to the end of the game Shaw’s still at left back – question marks over him – Wan-Bissaka, Fred’s back in midfield, McTominay – as if United haven’t moved on from their problems of the past.
“I’m not just blaming them players because it was a tough game and you’ve got to give credit to Arsenal, but it is a reality check.”
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