OPINION
There are numerous holes in the current Newcastle United team, anyone who has watched them this season knows that, but one of the biggest at the moment is in central midfield.
With Ki Sung-yueng currently on international duty and both Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey struggling with injuries, manager Rafael Benitez was forced to pair the until-recently out of favour Issac Hayden with youngster Sean Longstaff last time out in the Premier League.
The pair did reasonably well in the circumstances against Chelsea, but it would be foolish of Benitez not to look for reinforcements this month. That’s where Scott McTominay comes in.
BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that Manchester United are weighing up whether to allow the midfielder to leave the club on loan in January or not.
McTominay has barely featured under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived in Manchester, an under-utilisation which could play into the Magpies’ hands.
If there is any possibility of the Red Devils letting the Scotland international go then Newcastle need to be at the front of the queue for him.
The 22-year-old is the perfect addition for Benitez’s team. He has largely excelled at Old Trafford up until this point, only really struggling when inexplicably played out of position by Jose Mourinho. That wouldn’t be the case at St James’ Park, where he would instantly command a starting berth in the middle of midfield.
His defensive capabilities are beyond anything that the Magpies’ current crop of midfielders possess, while his aptitude in possession is mirrored only by Shelvey and Longstaff.
He would bring quality, above all, and that’s what Newcastle have seriously lacked in the first half of the season. Plus, to Mike Ashley’s delight, he wouldn’t cost a thing.
Benitez would have to terminate the loan of Chelsea winger Kenedy in order to free up room for this move, but you won’t find many Newcastle fans upset about that possibility.
No, McTominay is the player Benitez needs. The Scot has real potential, and it would likely be unlocked to full effect on Tyneside.
