The 25-year-old didn’t feature in any of the U’s matchday squads so far this season, being left out for Championship games against Norwich City and Coventry City, plus the Carabao Cup victory over Peterborough United.

This newspaper understands that League One side Charlton Athletic were also interested in signing McGuane this summer, but the midfielder has joined up with the Robins, who are of course led by former United head coach Liam Manning.

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McGuane has joined the Robins on a two-year deal with the option of a further year.

Manning told the Robins website: “This is a great opportunity for him, and I know the type of character he is from my time working with him before.

“He was outstanding in those first 15 games we had at Oxford last season and I am looking forward to working with him again.”

McGuane added: “Having the opportunity to work with Liam again is fantastic for me, I really thrived under him before, we have a good relationship and I know the style of football that he plays really suits me.”

McGuane initially joined the U’s on loan from Nottingham Forest during the 2020/21 campaign, before signing permanently at the end of that season.

In May, United announced that a one-year option in McGuane’s deal had been triggered, with that decision made knowing there was a possibility the midfielder would be deemed surplus to requirements depending on how the club’s summer window business went.

The U’s have added midfielders Idris El Mizouni, Louie Sibley and Will Vaulks so far during the window.

McGuane played 153 times for United, scoring three goals.