Scott McTominay Is Fast Becoming Manchester United’s Leading Light!
Just under twelve months ago it was thought that Scott McTominay would have to leave Old Trafford on a loan deal to get more top team exposure.
The youngster had been propelled into the first-team picture under Jose Mourinho and he gave the side much needed energy and commitment. But as Jose’s Manchester United team started stalling McTominay’s performances also seemed to drop.
The Portuguese coach preferred playing the Scottish international midfielder in the defensive holding role and at times Scott didn’t seem overly comfortable in that role.
During the first month or so of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure in charge at Old Trafford, it was being reported that Scott McTominay could be heading to either Leeds United or Celtic (Source Sky Sports) for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
By the end of January, a midfielder did leave the Red Devils but it was Marouane Fellaini not the youngster.
McTominay used the rest of that campaign to show that he had more to his game than just being a defensive mid. He could pass the ball and burst forward too. Although he did shine as a midfield destroyer in United’s unexpected Champions League away win over PSG (BBC Match Report).
In the summer, United then lost fellow central midfielder Ander Herrera and again didn’t replace the outgoing midfielder. Solskjaer made it clear that he trusted the young midfielders he had in McTominay and Andreas Periera.
They’ve had a pretty hectic load this term given that the more experienced duo of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have had injury problems this season.
McTominay, in particular, has really stepped up. So much so that’s he probably been United’s best player thus far and certainly one of their most passionate and consistent.
If people had written off the twenty-two year old as just being a teacher’s pet under Mourinho they’ve been proven wrong. McTominay is in this Man United team on merit!
Man Utd have had a tumultuous season, already full of ups and downs. Yet McTominay has been in the engine room and remained calm and constantly trying to lead by example. He’s fast become a leader on the pitch, shown last night in the last few minutes of United’s away win in the League Cup against Chelsea. As the clocked ticked down, Scott was shouting at his teammates to keep them switched on to any possible dangers that may sink their hopes.
The Scottish midfielder is the only player outside of Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Marcus Rashford to score for United in the Premier League this season. McTominay has grabbed two strikes, important ones too against Arsenal and Norwich City.
According to Whoscored; he’s hitting 1.6 shots per league outing and has a passing success rate above 80%. On average he’s winning 2 aerial battles per game, making 1.8 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 1.5 clearances.
Interestingly to show that he’s not just a sitter, his dribble success stats of 1.5 per game show he’s got more going forward than people thought when they first saw him in the Man United first team.
His commitment to his team’s cause has never been in doubt but he has started to show that he’s good enough to not just keep his own in big games but boss the midfield area too.
Even Fred, who seemed to be a bit of an outcast, has started to flourish playing alongside McTominay.
Man United fans want to see a passionate player who loves to play for the badge and they’ve got that in Scott McTominay.
Towards the end of last season, Solskjaer said that McTominay had all the right qualities to be a fine Man United midfielder:
“Scott has never ever let us down and he never disappoints when he plays,”
“And tonight was another very, very fine performance by Scotty. So, it won’t be hard to see him play many, many games for Man United, because he has got such a great mentality.”
“He is so athletic, he can play in different positions. Today we feel that’s his best position, like a high midfielder, but he can play in that defensive role easily, like he has done against PSG and Liverpool. So I was very, very pleased with him.”
Via ManUtd.com
Scott McTominay has to be one of the first names on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s teamsheet at the moment. As he plays more games, he becomes more confident and looks to be a star in that Manchester United midfield.
No longer is he seen as a bland holding midfielder being used as a statement by Jose Mourinho, Scott has worked extremely hard to prove himself worthy and he’s now proving it every week in a Man United jersey!
Posted on October 31st, 2019 by scott
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