Scott McTominay

2023 - 3 - 29

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

Should Scott McTominay be part of Manchester United's future? (The Athletic)

Valuable squad player who raises standards at Manchester United or clunky midfielder who slows down their play? Our writers have their say.

He has a knack for timing his runs into the box to score, as proven by his four goals in four days for Scotland. “But he needs to keep his feet on the ground and keep working hard and he can be one hell of a footballer.” He has seen the turmoil that ended the reigns of Mourinho and Solskjaer and lived through the debacle of Ralf Rangnick’s tenure, always maintaining total professionalism in his training and conduct. McTominay should be applauded for his willingness to operate as United’s deepest midfielder in times of need, but he struggles to make himself an easy passing option when his side are building from the back. Ten Hag will again be central to whether McTominay leaves United this summer and a transfer fee of, say, £30million ($37m) could be channelled to recruit the striker that might transform United’s prospects. But McTominay has shown he can play at Champions League level in specific circumstances and, beyond that, he helps maintain standards at the club. He is nearly always available to play and willing to play through the pain barrier — qualities Mourinho particularly likes in his players. [Scott McTominay](https://theathletic.com/football/player/scott-mctominay-rXernJIkIW9dTOdt/) scored two goals last night as [Scotland](https://theathletic.com/football/team/scotland/) beat [Spain](https://theathletic.com/football/team/spain/) 2-0, making it four goals in two games after his brace against Cyprus at the weekend. Again, through no fault of his own, McTominay became a litmus test for how United fans viewed the midfield and what qualities it would take to be “Manchester United quality”. He is one of the physically fittest players in the squad. The gift was one of the candlesticks on the table, polished up and given to a then-21-year-old McTominay who had made 23 appearances in all competitions that season. Through no fault of his own, McTominay became embroiled in the strange Cold War between Mourinho and Pogba.

Man United fans claim Scott McTominay should be a striker after four ... (Daily Mail)

Manchester United fans have suggested Scott McTominay should play as a striker after the midfielder's two goals helped Scotland earn a shock victory over ...

[Manchester United](/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html) fans have suggested Scott McTominay should play as a striker after the midfielder's two goals helped [Scotland earn a shock victory over Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying](/sport/football/article-11913179/Scotland-hero-Scott-McTominay-hails-fans-Steve-Clarkes-men-stun-Spain.html). 'As a kid, I was an attacking midfielder, then I became more of a sitting midfield player,' McTominay said. 'I actually want to see McTominay get given a chance at ST now,' a third fan posted. 'Think about it, he can do everything that Weghorst can but at a quicker rate. 9 than Wout Weghorst.' [Scott McTominay scored twice for Scotland in their shock 2-0 victory over Spain](/sport/football/article-11912845/Scotland-2-0-Spain-Scott-McTominay-scores-twice-Steve-Clarkes-stun-Spain-Hampden-Park.html)

Manchester United fans joke Scott McTominay should play up front ... (talkSPORT.com)

Manchester United fans reckon Scott McTominay should start up front over Wout Weghorst.And it is not difficult to see why after a brilliant stint with.

talkSPORT is also widely available across the UK on 1089 or 1053 AM. [United](https://talksport.com/sport/football/team/113099/manchester-united/) star came off the bench to net a late duo, the first in the 87th minute and second in the 93rd minute, to make it a [comfortable win for the Tartan Army](https://talksport.com/football/1377248/scott-mctominay-kieran-tierney-scotland-spain/). McTominay, meanwhile, has netted double that in the matter of days with Scotland while some strikes in his past in United colours have often left many fans stunned. While a fifth tweeted: “Scott McTominay as striker ahead of Weghorst for the rest of the season then…” With United struggling for a reliable goalscorer, it did not take some fans to joke about sticking the midfielder up top in place of the misfiring Weghorst. And it is not difficult to see why after a brilliant stint with Scotland over the international break, scoring four times in two games.

What former Man United boss Jose Mourinho said about Scott ... (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay scored four goals in his last two international matches for Scotland.

"Scotland did the basics very well. Former Scotland manager McLeish has since revealed that he first watched McTominay in 2018 - having spoken to [Mourinho](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/jose-mourinho) about the midfielder. The Spaniards passed the ball about and are really brilliant architects of the ball. "It takes me back a long way to the Spain victory in 1984, and the Paris game. [McTominay](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/scott-mctominay) has scored four goals in his last two matches for the national team, with Steve Clarke's side securing a 3-0 victory over Cyprus on Saturday before defeating Spain 2-0 on Tuesday night. "It’s just one of these brilliant, historic games," he added.

Scott McTominay provides telling response to Erik ten Hag demand ... (Mirror.co.uk)

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay will have his sights set on re-establishing himself as a regular starter at Old Trafford following his goal ...

[Join the debate!](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-ten-hag-mctominay-29576264#comments-section) Do you think McTominay should feature more often for Man Utd? But the 26-year-old [took things to another level](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/scott-mctominay-bruno-fernandes-rodri-29575513) on Tuesday night when he scored twice again to down former world champions Spain at Hampden Park. He told Viaplay after the win over Spain: “As a kid, I was an attacking midfielder - I like to get in the box. We can't thank the fans enough.” When you're winning you've got to do stuff like that. Speaking at a fan event back in December, McTominay revealed: "I should score more goals. I’ve always liked to fancy myself that I can score goals and stuff like that, so it’s important I keep practising." “Everyone was at it, diving around, making the game slow. [Let us know here.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-ten-hag-mctominay-29576264#comments-section) [Premier League](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/premier-league) games under [Erik ten Hag](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/erik-ten-hag) after the Dutchman revamped his midfield in the summer with the acquisitions of [Casemiro](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/casemiro) and [Christian Eriksen](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/christian-eriksen). [in Scotland's 3-0 win over Cyprus](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manutd-mctominay-fernandes-scotland-tenhag-29556170) at the weekend: a match they were expected to win. [Euro 2024](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/euro-2024) qualification campaign with two tricky fixtures, the [Manchester United](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-united-fc) midfielder has stepped up and played an influential role to inspire [Steve Clarke's](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/steve-clarke) side to a dream start to life in Group A.

Bruno Fernandes gives Scott McTominay nickname as Garnacho ... (Daily Express)

Bruno Fernandes and other Manchester United team-mates heaped praise on Scott McTominay after his Scotland heroics against Spain.

[Bruno Fernandes](/latest/bruno-fernandes) has handed Scott McTominay a hilarious new nickname after his incredible performance in Scotland's 2-0 win against Spain on Tuesday. Better hurry as the sale ends soon! But Ten Hag blocked his exit in January, and he could do the same at the end of the season if he believes he has more to offer.

Bruno Fernandes reveals new Scott McTominay nickname as ... (101 Great Goals)

Both sides headed into the match having won their opening Euro 2024 qualifier. Spain saw off Norway whilst Scotland beat Cyprus last week.

It’s a bit frustrating because we want to win and it’s difficult because they waste time, waste time. They have their weapons, we have our weapons, and we will learn for next time.” It’s always wasting time, they provoke you, they always fall.

Scott McTominay talent spotter beams with Scotland pride as he ... (Scottish Daily Record)

Dundee-born Charlie Jackson was a talent spotter for Manchester United and helped set him on the path to glory.

You play him in that pivotal role and give him responsibility and you can see what he does. “I moved to England from Dundee when I was five and I hit it off straight away with his dad because of the Scottish connection. “He can play in any position but he’s got four goals in two games at international level. That will likely open to the door for McTominay and Jackson said: “I hope he still has a future at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag because he’s Manchester United through and through. He had been spotted while training with a team called Halton Hotshots and we had him at our centre for almost four years. He’s probably the longest-serving player and he loves Man United. Sometimes you need a bit of luck, a bit of time and a manager to put faith in him and he’s repaid that. It’s weird but I can still see Scott as that little kid with me in Preston now, even when he’s scoring against Spain at Hampden! The 53-year-old knew even at that age the midfielder was a special talent and he has been proved right after being him develop into a star for club and country. He told Record Sport : “I was delighted at the time when he chose Scotland over I remember taking one of my friends to Hampden for his Scotland debut and he turned and said to me ‘I wish he’d chosen England!’. Jackson left Tayside at an early age but is still fiercely patriotic and was delighted when McTominay chose to represent Scotland.

Scott McTominay

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