Newcastle legend Malcolm McDonald says Manchester United may come calling for winger Allan Saint-Maximin if he impresses playing for the Magpies against the Red Devils next weekend.

The Frenchman, who is rated at £25.2m by Transfermarkt, has been in excellent form this season and McDonald believes it is only a matter of time before bigger clubs come in for the 23-year-old:

“Of course over the long-term, if he doesn’t get quality support around him and the big Champions League clubs come calling, [Newcastle] United are going to lose him. The Saint is the most improved player at NUFC over the past year without a doubt. When he first came you could see the God-given talent but at times he didn’t look as though his play had purpose.”

“He was quick and tricky but the end product was often poor. He didn’t get his head up before crossing. He would never have picked out [Callum] Wilson as he did last weekend. There is no doubt that Steve Bruce has given him his head and he’s blossomed as a consequence. Of course clubs are now on red alert with all the accolades he has received. Including Manchester United, Newcastle’s next opponents. If he rips them to pieces they will be back!”

Although Saint-Maximin does have pace to burn and would be right at home in United’s front three, he generally plays off the left flank rather than on the right-wing. That would be a problem as he is unlikely to displace Marcus Rashford in the starting line up.

United have been focused on signing a right-winger, with the much-publicised failure to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho over the summer. While the Manchester club will no doubt consider other targets, you wouldn’t have thought that Saint-Maximin would be high on their list of options considering his preference for the opposite wing.