Transfer Centre

Scott McTominay 'turned down deadline-day move to Fulham'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 September 2023

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay turned down the chance to join Fulham on transfer deadline day, according to a report.

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay reportedly turned down the chance to make the move to Fulham in the closing hours of the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old continued his strong international form with a goal and an assist in Scotland's 3-0 win over Cyprus on Friday evening, and he has now scored six goals and registered one assist in his last five appearances for his national team.

McTominay is not regarded as a starter at Man United under Erik ten Hag, though, with Casemiro, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all ahead of him in the pecking order.

The midfielder is also now likely behind Sofyan Amrabat too, following the Morocco international's loan switch to Old Trafford from Fiorentina on transfer deadline day.

There was a host of speculation surrounding McTominay's future over the summer, with Newcastle United and West Ham United both thought to have shown an interest.

Scott McTominay in action for Manchester United on August 26, 2023 © Reuters

Fulham were then heavily linked with him in the latter stages of the window, with the Cottagers looking to bring in a replacement for Joao Palhinha, who was given permission to travel to Germany ahead of an expected move to Bayern Munich.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Man United were willing to let McTominay move to Fulham on deadline day, but the Scot turned down the switch.

Palhinha's proposed move to Bayern therefore fell through, with Fulham pulling the plug at the final moment, having been unable to bring in a replacement.

Bayern are expected to reignite their interest in Palhinha at the start of 2024, while McTominay's future could again be the subject of speculation in January if he finds it difficult to break into the Man United side.

Fulham's Andreas Pereira in action with Manchester United's Scott McTominay on March 19, 2023 © Reuters

McTominay, who has another two years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, has only played seven minutes of Premier League football during the 2023-24 campaign.

Indeed, the midfielder came off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, but he was not involved against either Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal.

McTominay has made 211 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and registering five assists in the process.

Fred left Man United's midfield department over the summer to join Fenerbahce, while Donny van de Beek is currently being heavily linked with a loan switch to Turkey.

McTominay will be bidding to help Scotland make it six straight wins in all competitions in next week's mouthwatering friendly with England.