Simon Jordan is questioning why Newcastle would consider paying £40 million for the ‘average’ Scott McTominay even if he believes Eddie Howe could ‘get more’ out of the Manchester United midfielder, speaking to talkSPORT (22 March, 12.20pm).
While Old Trafford newcomers Marcel Sabitzer, Antony and Lisandro Martinez further highlighted their importance to Erik ten Hag’s side during Sunday’s dramatic 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham, McTominay’s own performance in the so-called ‘Casemiro role’ felt like a man trying and ultimately failing to rage against the dying of the light.
The Scotland international has only started two games since January’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal. He was subbed off at half-time against West Ham, and lasted less than an hour against Fulham too. It is no coincidence that Man United stepped up their game once McTominay had been dragged off the pitch either.
And former Crystal Palace owner Jordan wonders why Newcastle, given their close proximity to Man United in the Premier League table, would consider signing a player a direct rival deems ‘not good enough’.
Could Scott McTominay leave Manchester United for Newcastle?
“McTominay taking Newcastle to the next level? Well, what is the next level?,” Jordan asks.
“So, they are going to take a player from a club who is competing in the same space as them, who they don’t think is good enough? How does that work then?
“(Newcastle) are competing with Manchester United. Very, very rarely do we see, at the top of the table, clubs selling players to one another. It happens now and again; (Dimitar) Berbatov and (Robin) Van Persie.
“But, in this instance, I am looking at it and saying ‘what is the next level?’ If Newcastle are competing for a Champions League space, they are going to be competing with Man United.
“So, for Newcastle to take a player from Man United – who Man United will only sell if they don’t think is good enough to be in their side – seems to be at odds with what (Newcastle) are trying to achieve.”
‘He’s average’
McTominay, according to The Telegraph, could cost around £40 million. But while the 26-year-old has not exactly set the world alight under Ten Hag – in an era where so many of his team-mates have come on leaps and bounds – Jordan wonders if Newcastle have a coach capable of coaxing far more out of a seemingly ‘average’ player.
“I think McTominay is alright. He a symptoma of Man United going through a mediocre phase,” Jordan adds. “I don’t think McTominay gets within a gnat’s hair of the elite Man United teams.
“Ultimately, he is a by-product of a very mediocre Man United period. He’s OK but he’s not a great player. I think he’s average. Eddie Howe has a testament of making players better. Howe bringing him into the Newcastle project might get more from him.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
