Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is a doubt for this weekend's clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park, potentially handing an opportunity for St James' Park chiefs to cast their eye over potential summer signing Scott McTominay. Sabitzer wasn't risked in Austria's win over Estonia on Monday after finding the net twice against Azerbaijan on Friday evening.
Sabitzer's knee issue adds to the Red Devils' injury and suspension problems in the middle of the park. Casemiro will miss the trip to Newcastle due to a ban, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek remain sidelined through injury.
That means Fred and Newcastle transfer target McTominay could line up alongside each other this weekend, giving Magpies' chiefs the chance to run the rule over the Scottish midfielder. McTominay found the net twice for his country on Friday as Steve Clarke's men beat Cyprus 3-0 and again bagged a brace in the 2-0 win over Spain on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Richard Masters quizzed over potential Premier League investigation into Newcastle United takeover
As the summer window approaches, the Manchester United man continues to be linked with a move up north. Chronicle Live understands McTominay has impressed Newcastle scouts and an enquiry was made over availability back in January.
Speculation surrounding a potential move for the Old Trafford man has split opinion on Tyneside, with sections of the St James' Park fan base wondering whether a move for the 26-year-old would be worth it this summer.
McTominay has struggled for game time this season, compared to recent years, after initially breaking through into the first-team under Jose Mourinho and becoming a regular under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Erik ten Hag has limited the midfielder's game time due to impressive form of ex-Real Madrid star Casemiro. Now speculation persists about McTominay's long-term future at his boyhood club.
Eddie Howe publicly played down a potential move for McTominay during the winter window but has openly admitted his side are short on midfield numbers following the departure of Jonjo Shelvey. Newcastle are expected to pursue a central midfielder as a priority during the summer market.
Former Newcastle and Manchester United striker Louis Saha has urged McTominay to wait and see if he can salvage a future at Old Trafford before leaving for Tyneside. “I’m a big fan of Scotty. I feel a bit sorry for him because when Casemiro arrived, you knew that Scott would need the time to learn from him. Who knows, he could potentially be a partner for Casemiro in the future," he told Betfred.
“Newcastle United are a club that certainly want to go places and from Scott’s personal perspective, I can understand that he wants to focus on his own career and reach the highest level possible, but I would be sad to see him go. I would advise him to wait and see what Erik ten Hag has planned for him going into next season first.”
READ MORE:
- Sven Botman illness update after missing second Netherlands clash
- Everything you need to know about safe standing at St James' Park
Richard Masters quizzed over potential Premier League investigation into Newcastle United takeover
Newcastle United DNA could see Magpies better Sir Bobby Robson's class of 2002
