Bayern Munich target Scott McTominay as Palhinha's alternative

Manchester United were looking to sell their Scottish midfielder in the summer

Bayern Munich may turn to Scott McTominay if they are unable to acquire Joao Palhinha in January.

On deadline day, Fulham midfielder Palhinha's dream transfer to the German powerhouse fell through, but he has now signed a new contract at Craven Cottage. Bayern Munich haven't completely ruled out making another offer for the Portuguese star when the market reopens.

However, they are also considering other candidates, and Thomas Tuchel's wants list for the team includes Scott McTominay of Manchester United. McTominay, who attracted inquiry from West Ham in the summer, is far down the Old Trafford food chain, and the addition of Sofyan Amrabat doesn't make matters any better.

In the course of the season, Fulham also thought about using him as a possible Palhinha replacement. McTominay has played three times for United so far this year. His first start of the season came in Saturday's 3-1 thrashing against Brighton, however, two of those appearances were really brief cameos off the bench.

Tuchel wants to give him the opportunity to play for one more of the top clubs in Europe. In 2002, the 26-cap Scotland player enrolled at United's academy.

He has made 212 games for the Old Trafford team and scored 19 goals since breaking into the first team. Gary Neville, a former United player, reportedly asserted that manager Erik ten Hag was pushing Scott McTominay out the door because of his lack of talent.

"What's clear is that Manchester United's midfield needs bolstering," he said during commentary of the Red Devils’ defeat to Tottenham. "Ten Hag wants a number six who can play alongside Casemiro and, at the moment, the club can't get players out to be able to fund that. If they look at the first two weeks, they have to fund it or there will be a big problem.

“What is clear is that Ten Hag doesn't want to revert back to Scott McTominay. With Fernandes on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn't look capable of functioning as one.

“Does he go back to McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It's almost as if he is managing him out of the club."