SCOTLAND international Scott McTominay could be on his way out of Old Trafford.

The Manchester United utility man has been a bit-part player since Erik Ten Haag took over the Red Devils.

Now Newcastle United could be ready to give him an exit route.

Opportunities have been limited for the Scottish defensive midfielder with only 12 club starts in all competitions this season.

By contrast he has started five of Scotland's seven internationals in the same time-frame and is in line for more next week when Scotland face Cyprus and Spain.

But Eddie Howe is a known admirer of the midfielder and was denied a loan move for the 26-year-old in January.

The Sunday Express says he is ready to return with a firm permanent offer for McTominay - who could cost upwards of £30m to buy-out the remaining two years of his Old Trafford contract.

Transfer talk has been increasing in recent weeks around the player who has played 19 times off the bench for his Dutch boss.

He was even linked with a sensational move to the Old Firm last month - but the SPFL sides would be well priced out of his signature.

However the fee would not be a stumbling block for cash-rich Newcastle who splurged £45m on Anthony Gordon earlier this year and are also linked with a £25m move for ex-Aberdeen midfielder James Maddison at Leicester.

McTominay is in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers' kick-off at Hampden and is a key figure for the boss' squad.

However he is an injury doubt ahead of joining up with the squad at Lesser Hampden after feeling discomfort during the warm-up ahead of the Europa League win over Real Betis on Thursday.

He will be assessed again before United face Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday and his departure for Scotland duty.

National boss Clarke often utilises McTominay's versatility and calls upon the United man as a centre-half in a back three or as a midfielder sitting just in front of a back-four.

Other midfield options include Callum McGregor, who could win his 50th cap, Ryan Jack and John McGinn.