Paul Scholes has been blown away by £40m player who Newcastle said was too expensive

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For a long time during the summer transfer window, it looked like Scott McTominay leaving Manchester United and signing for Newcastle United was inevitable.

After the Magpies had missed out on a deal in January despite McTominay being keen on a move, Eddie Howe’s side decided to reignite their interest ahead of the 2023/24 season.

With Champions League football to contend with, Howe wanted more depth in his squad, and identified McTominay as an ideal signing.

However, a move to St James’ Park was not forthcoming for the 26-year-old. Instead, Newcastle decided that he was too expensive and not worth the £40million that Man United were demanding.

That led to Sandro Tonali arriving on Tyneside, who joined the Magpies for £55million at the age of 23. For just a bit more money, Newcastle got a much more talented player with an even higher ceiling.

As for McTominay, he was unable to secure a move away from Old Trafford, and must have been worried about his minutes after seeing Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat join the club.

However, injuries have afforded the Scotland international some opportunities as of late, and he has grasped them with both hands. He has three goals in his previous two Premier League appearances, and has dazzled former Man United midfielder Paul Scholes with his form.

Paul Scholes thinks we are seeing the best of Scott McTominay at Man United

Ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League game with Copenhagen, Scholes has been speaking to TNT Sports. He addressed McTominay’s upturn in fortunes, admitting that he is delighted for the academy graduate.

“He’s shown really good strength of character because he’s been left out, other people have played in his position, there are some younger players in his position,” he said.

“He will have been hurting.

“He’s always a player I felt could score goals from midfield. He’s a brilliant athlete, he’s got great technique, I think he’s more than capable.

“He almost got pigeon-holed by trying to be a holding midfielder with Fred and it didn’t quite work. They took a little bit of stick together. But I never felt that was his best position, or that he was great at controlling a game. I don’t think that was his strength.

“His strength is to use his athleticism to get forward and back, he can do everything as an all-round midfield player. He’s got the technical ability to do it, he’s got an eye for goal, as we’ve seen with Scotland especially, and now with United in the last few weeks.”

Newcastle’s chance has been and gone

McTominay is playing very well right now, showing the kind of athleticism that made him so appealing to Eddie Howe.

While he is not a glamorous player, it is understandable why Newcastle were keen. And given Howe’s track record, he probably would have been a hit in a black and white shirt.

But it feels like Newcastle’s chance to sign McTominay has been and gone. While the Magpies are now looking for another midfielder due to Sandro Tonali’s impending ban, a fresh move for McTominay is highly unlikely.

He has forced himself back into the picture at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag probably much less willing to let him go.

And the more he continues to impress in a Man United shirt, the more Newcastle may wonder whether they really should have paid the £40million that the Red Devils were looking for.