Michael Carrick
Manchester United have held talks over a sensational deal to re-sign Scott McTominay from Napoli, according to Sky Sports, as new details emerge about the Scotland international's agent working on securing his client a move back to the Premier League.
Man United's underwhelming start to the 2026-27 season has come as somewhat of a surprise, given how strong they were under Michael Carrick in the second half of the previous campaign, and they simply haven't really got going yet.
One win in five Premier League matches is testament to that, and Carrick will know he has a big opportunity to pick up that second league win when they host bottom-of-the-table Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Following the closure of the summer transfer window on September 1, United have full focus on the Premier League and the Champions League until January, but there will already be question marks over whether they need to do further business in the New Year.
While their attack looks good when everyone is fit, the fitness issues surrounding Benjamin Sesko have been a problem, and Carrick has so far been unable to call upon one of his three midfield signings in Carlos Baleba.
The Cameroon international could be in line for a debut against Spurs though, having been on the bench against Fulham last time out, as the Red Devils boss looks to find out his best central midfield pairing.
The main issues are clearly defensively where United's defence has flattered to deceive this season. The likes of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot are once again showing the lack of consistency that has seen them come under fire many times during their Old Trafford careers.
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The Year Man Utd Signed First-Choice Back Four
Luke Shaw
Lisandro Martinez
Harry Maguire
Diogo Dalot
Club chiefs may wait to overhaul the backline until next summer, but a left-back addition shouldn't be ruled out given they did attempt to sign both Lewis Hall and Alejandro Balde in recent months.
Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri has also reported that United made an enquiry to re-sign McTominay during the summer window, along with Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
According to the reporter, the Scot's agent is maintaining a close relationship with several Premier League clubs and has held preliminary discussions over a return to English football, with the player having just over 18 months left on his contract with the Serie A champions.
The 29-year-old is said to be keen on a move back to the UK, two years after making the move to Naples, with the player valued at up to £25m.
Man United Must Move Past McTominay
(Image: REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
McTominay has clearly improved and become a more influential player during his time with Napoli, helping them win the Scudetto in his first season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and being voted the most valuable player in Serie A as a result.
It was a quieter 2025-26 campaign for the 29-year-old and he has been absent for the majority of the current campaign having undergone surgery on a minor heart issue.
Still, McTominay has been given 'God-like' status in Napoli, according to Gordon Strachan after he spent time in the local area.
But bringing him back to Old Trafford now would be crazy for a few reasons.
A move for the Scotland star made sense in the summer when they were overhauling their central midfield options, but they have completed that mission and have three new players in situ alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
They don't need another central midfielder and certainly not one who turns 30 years of age in December, having already brought in Youri Tielemans, who is the same age as McTominay.
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McTominay Record for Napoli
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Spending £30m of their budget to re-sign a player they sold for a reason would be madness, especially when it is clear they probably need to add three new defenders to their squad in 2027, and probably a new striker too to provide more competition for Sesko.
United should steer clear and let their Premier League rivals battle over the Scottish star.