Should this FA Cup winner opt for a move to Hull City or Sheffield Wednesday?

It would be fairly accurate to say that Callum McManaman’s career has not exactly flourished since Tony Pulis signed him for West Bromwich Albion in the January of 2015. When running the show in both the FA Cup Semi-Final and Final in 2013, his career should have taken off. Now three years down the line, the Liverpool-born winger is now arguably further away from the England squad than he was then.

A summer move could be just what he needs to get his career back on track. With the Baggies having already snapped up Matt Philips from QPR, it now looks extremely likely that McManaman will leave West Brom, with newly promoted Hull City and the defeated finalists in the play-offs – Sheffield Wednesday – both linked with a move.

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McManaman is no mystery to Premier League clubs. This is a player who was man-of-the-match in the FA Cup Final win against Manchester City no less. He does clearly have pedigree. Now 25 years of age though, he needs to get a season of regular football under his belt. When watching players like McManaman, you sometimes get the feeling they could develop a lot more if they were the focal point of the team. In a Pulis team, such players rarely earn the chance to shine.

Despite costing the former Stoke City manager nearly £5 million, he has not actually stuck the ball in the net yet. For a Premier League winger, that is simply not good enough. If signed by either the Tigers or the Owls, he will be expected to pop up with the occasional goal, a part of his game he must improve. Hull would undoubtedly be where most would expect him to choose if the speculation is true, but do not be too sure just yet. Wednesday were unlucky not to go up last season, and will be right at the forefront of the Championship promotion race once again this season. A well balanced midfield was key to last season’s play-off push, and will probably be key to Carlos Carvalhal’s plans again this term. He offers pace, aggression and hard work on the right-hand side and would be seen as a coup for the Steel city side.

A move to Hull may keep McManaman on a Premier League wage, but it could be questioned whether this would be what he needs at this stage in his career. Steve Bruce’s preferred formation is 3-5-2 in the Premier League and this would not necessarily fit the Ex-Wigan player’s style and favoured position. Even if Bruce did go for more natural width for certain games; during home fixtures particularly, McManaman would still have to nail down a place ahead of vice-captain David Meyler, the talented Robert Snodgrass, and cult hero Ahmed Elmohamady. Not only is Bruce clearly a fan of Meyler, but he is just coming off the back of being a part of a superb tournament at Euro 2016 with the Republic of Ireland.

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At a newly promoted club, McManaman would also be under huge pressure right from kick-off to make an impact. Clubs in such positions are often reliant on a ‘new season bounce’ effect. A poor start could see him stuck on the bench. Equally though, should a bidding war occur for Mcmanaman’s signature then the Tigers would be favoured to secure him. The new television deal has widened the gap between Premier League and Championship budgets, meaning that if The Tigers want him, they will probably land a potentially key summer signing.

At this point in his career with his next move a crucial one, fighting for his position is not what he needs. It may sound slightly left-field but, if Wednesday can have another serious promotion tilt, a move to South rather than East Yorkshire could be hugely beneficial for McManaman.

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