Mourinho to raid Man Utd for star Ten Hag wants to keep

Cameron Smith

• 9 Jul 2023 14:24 BST
• 3 min read

Jose Mourinho is reportedly looking to sign a new central midfielder at AS Roma and is interested in raiding his former club Manchester United for Scotland international Scott McTominay, according to reports.

Roma have already added Houssem Aouar on a free transfer this summer, but Mourinho is reportedly still keen on signing at least one more player who specialises in the middle of the park.

The Italian side finished in sixth place in Serie A last season, while they suffered defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final. As a result, they will once again be participating in Europe’s secondary club competition.

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In preparation for the new season, Mourinho has set his sights on three potential new central midfielders, according to Rudy Galetti. Roma are reportedly engaging in ongoing talks with Paris Saint-Germain concerning Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches, while Rodrigo de Paul and Scott McTominay are also being considered.

The report details that Brighton are also monitoring McTominay’s situation at Old Trafford, with the Scottish star potential available this summer.

Reports have suggested that McTominay may be moved on this summer, but Ten Hag would rather offload Brazil international Fred rather than the Red Devils academy graduate, according to Give Me Sport’s Dean Jones.

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“There seems like there might have been a little bit of a U-turn on McTominay and he might have a lifeline at Man United now. And Fred is the one that they’re more open to, but I don’t think they really need to lose both of those players,” Jones said.

After Man Utd’s 2-0 win over Everton in April, Ten hag was quick to heap praise on McTominay to somewhat dispel rumours of an exit at the time. “Great player, great personality. So happy I have him in my squad – he gives all his energy, never gives up, so it’s great,” Ten Hag said.

McTominay to leave Man Utd?

McTominay has been a regular at Man Utd since making his Premier League debut during the 2017/18 season.

The Scot has made 24 or more league appearances in each of the past four seasons, although he fell behind Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in the pecking order last campaign.

Mason Mount’s arrival from Chelsea could push McTominay even further down Ten Hag’s list of central midfielders in 2023/24, which could prompt a transfer to Mourinho’s Roma.