JACKIE McNAMARA, the Dundee United manager, last night confirmed he has knocked back Sheffield United's verbal offer for on-form winger Gary Mackay-Steven.

 

Mackay-Steven is in the final few months of his contract at Tannadice and is set to leave at the end of the season after expressing his desire to play down in England.

That has alerted League One's Blades to the 24-year-old's situation but McNamara hopes the fans' favourite can stay in top form for his side between now and the end of the season.

McNamara said: "It is not an official bid, more verbal - a case of them testing the water. I am not surprised because he has been very good the last few games. Hopefully, he can keep that going until the end of the season as a Dundee United player.

"We know he can go for nothing but he has scored three goals for us in the last couple of matches so that's valuable to the team. He wants a shot at England and I can understand that and I hope he gets what he wants eventually. Meantime, he can do a good for us because he has been a great servant to the club."

Formerly of Liverpool and Fulham's youth ranks, Mackay-Steven admitted himself that a potential return to England intrigued him - though not necessarily this month.

"As far as I know there's been a bid in, or bids in." he said. "But they've been rejected so I'm still a Dundee United player and will be until the summer.

"If it was right for me and the club as well, it's something I'd seriously think about and look into, but at the moment that's not the case. I'm really happy here and enjoying my football, we're fighting on a lot of fronts, so it's an exciting time to be here.

"I've had speculation before in different transfer windows so it's nothing new, I've learned to just focus on my football."

United have welcomed trialist Partick O'Haughnessy, who featured in a game earlier this week, and are keeping a close eye on the transfer market having landed striker Simon Murray from Arbroath. McNamara also believes Charlie Telfer is reaching his best following his summer move from Ibrox.

He said: "Although done in the summer, Charlie's move is really now coming to the fore because of his form.

"You can see what he has been like over the last wee while. He is coming on and we are delighted with him. I think that is going to turn out to be a real bargain for us."

McNamara is confident Murray can prove to be the latest youngster to take Tannadice by storm when he starts his United career for real next season.

He said: "Anyone you bring in from the lower leagues is a bit of a gamble, but from what we have seen at this club, boys can kick on after joining us.

"We have seen that with Andy Robertson, Blair Spittal and Aidan Connolly, who were with Queen's Park in a division below where Simon has been playing. There are players out there for clubs like United."

Meanwhile, United defender John Souttar has suffered a setback with his ankle injury which will keep him out for a few more weeks.