Parker says Smith-Rowe is a better value signing than McTominay

With the first round of Premier League fixtures completed and three points picked up by Manchester United, bettingexpert had the pleasure of sitting down with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker. 

Parker was able to share his thoughts on the news that Scott McTominay looks likely to be remaining at Manchester United after Fulham pulled out of a move for the Scotsman and instead moved onto United target Sander Berge. Earlier on in the window, Fulham also completed creative attacking midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe.

 Smith-Rowe is a better value signing than McTominay

For most of the summer, Fulham have been chasing Manchester United and Scotland international midfielder Scott McTominay. Manchester United have McTominay valued at £30 million which Fulham were unwilling to match despite their interest. Seemingly Fulham have moved onto other targets. One being Emile Smith Rowe who has completed a move from Arsenal to Fulham in a transfer that has captured widespread attention. 

The deal, valued at an initial £27 million and potentially rising to £34 million with add-ons, marks a record signing for Fulham. Smith Rowe, whose progress at Arsenal was hampered by injuries and fierce competition for starting spots, will be eager to reignite his career under Marco Silva at Craven Cottage. Parker believes that Fulham have made the better move in securing Emile Smith-Rowe in terms of value and potential when compared to Scott McTominay. 

“Well I don’t think it’s going to go through because it seems like United have tried to be a bit greedy in what they’re trying to get for him and maybe Fulham are going with common sense when you look at what they paid for Smith-Rowe.”

“When you compare what they would get with Scott McTominay. I think they’re getting a lot more value with Smith-Rowe. Smith-Rowe is still potential in that sense but then he’s still got to override that situation in terms of his injury problem.” 

“With Scott McTominay you know exactly what you’re getting. Can you get any more out of him? I’m not really sure if you can. And I think they were looking for someone of that profile after Palhinha left. They’ll try to get someone with his physicality. He (McTominay) hasn’t got Palhinha’s pace. He definitely hasn’t got the ability with the ball.”

United’s failure to move on old tools is holding ten Hag back

The Paulina replacement he speaks of has seemingly been found as Fulham have reached an agreement to sign Sander Berge from Burnley, overcoming competition from Manchester United. The deal is worth approximately £20 million, with the potential for an additional £5 million in add-ons. Berge, a Norwegian international, had an impressive season with Burnley, despite their relegation, and is viewed as a crucial reinforcement for Fulham’s midfield, particularly after Joao Palhinha’s transfer to Bayern Munich. 

Parker remains concerned that United and ten Hag could yet find themselves with a player in McTominay who won’t be of use to the club and that isn’t worth anything more than £20 million.

“There is a chance that he could work hard and get as many bookings as Palhinha. But if I was to go and speak to a Fulham fan, Fulham fans will be thinking about the way they play. They’ve seen Scott McTominay play and they wouldn’t want Fulham to pay any more than that (£20m) really, to be perfectly honest. I’m really hoping that something can happen between now and the weekend after next, because it looks like ten Hag could be going out working with, say, 90% of the same tools that he had the previous two seasons.”

Ivan Toney doesn’t fit United’s striker needs

Despite completing the summer signing of Dutch international Joshau Zirkzee, United are said to be in the market for another striker. This is following the pre-season hamstring injury  Rasmus Højlund picked up. Another striker signing would leave United with three strikers yet Parker sees no issue with this. However, he warns United that Ivan Toney is a signing that wouldn’t make sense due to Toney’s tendencies to involve himself in play rather than solely focus on the number nine role.

“Sir Alex had strikers but that was with a smaller squad. He could utilise the players more. The players accepted it when the manager wanted to keep a winning team. They weren’t spoiled brats then as they are now. They were better players than what they are now. Signing Ivan Toney doesn’t make much sense to me. Another centre forward who thinks he’s a number ten.That’s the bit I’m trying to work out now. Why would they want to do that?”

Manchester United wingers play for themselves and not the team

United currently have a plethora of options out wide including Marcus Rashford, Anthony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad yet Parker views the wing as a key area for United to improve on and claims it’s an area that’s a big, big problem. Parker goes on to say that the United winger play for themselves. 

“I mean the media again just keep throwing names but as centre forward isn’t a priority as are other areas. If United want to become a great side they can’t be relying on one goal scorer. But the one area they’re lacking and where they’re lacking consistency, which has been showing all of last season, which is a big, big problem, is in wide areas because no one really knows what the wide players do consistently.”

“I mean, the one thing I think we do know is they play for themselves. So that’s all they do, really. They’re not playing for the team. They don’t make a lot of goals. Um, they don’t cross the ball early. They’re shooting from wide areas. They’re, um, consistent in what they try to do when they do get the ball, and that is run across the front of the box and try to bend the ball in all the time. I’ve seen so many good wide players and they’re not big names.”