Leeds United, Preston and Bolton interested in signing Manchester United's Scott McTominay on loan

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is reportedly a transfer target for a host of Championship clubs for a loan move in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old came up through the ranks in the club's youth system and made his first team debut at the end of last season. Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho also started the youngster in the Champions League against Benfica recently, while he impressed after starting in United's 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday, 13 December.

McTominay committed his future at Old Trafford by signing a new four-year deal in October.

However, he has not been a first choice player in midfield and only has three starts to his name in all competitions this term.

The Portuguese tactician has the services of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and McTominay as options in midfield.

However, Carrick is yet to feature since recovering from a heart problem and he, along with Fellaini, are in the final years of their respective contracts. This could give McTominay a chance to move up the midfield pecking order.

According to The Sun, United are said to be open to the idea of allowing their player to go out on loan in the second half of this season to get more games under his belt, which has put Championship clubs like Leeds United, Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers on alert.

"Around five clubs have already asked about Scott and whether he will be available when the window opens. Jose has promised to keep him in the loop. He wants him to get action, but there are issues in that area which might stop it," a United source told The Sun.

"Michael Carrick had a heart procedure last month and there are some fitness concerns there which are not sorted yet. There is also the worry over Marouane Fellaini and his contract situation with just six months left. We don't know whether he will still be here come February."

It remains to be seen whether United will allow McTominy to go out on loan in January in order to get regular playing time. If the player is made available, Leeds, Preston and Bolton are likely to battle it out for the midfielder's signature.

Meanwhile, McTominay played the full 90 minutes in United's latest Premier League win against Bournemouth on Wednesday, and Mourinho heaped praise on the Lancaster-born midfielder after his impressive display against Eddie Howe's side.

"Scott [McTominay] didn't look like it was any different for him to play in another match and another competition. He is ready to play, he had 90 minutes today, he had 90 minutes against Benfica and he is ready to play," Mourinho said.

"Scott, this season, has played 90 minutes in three different competitions. He played against Swansea in the Carabao Cup, tonight and played against Benfica and, for the three times, he played 90 minutes, not 89 or 87 or 85."

"He played 90 [minutes] because, in every match, he was an adult. He was not a kid, he was an adult playing really, really well."