Scott McTominay scores his sixth Group A goal of Euro 2024 qualifying during Scotland's 3-0 win over Cyprus. Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has never admitted it publicly, but one of the reasons Scott McTominay never got regular opportunities as a No. 8 midfielder for his Manchester United team was in problems with the central defense.
In general, Solskjaer and his coaches believed that United's central midfield pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof needed a double defense in front of them.
The lack of an established world-class defensive midfielder no doubt also played a part in this thinking, so McTominay was often resignedly asked to sit next to Fred, another midfielder who was more comfortable in a more advanced role.
< p>This meant that United operated effectively with two No. 6s who weren't No. 6s, and over time «McFred» — as the midfield combination was disparagingly dubbed — became something of a symbol of the team's limitations, even if there was as much to be said about The club's constant recruitment problems, as well as everything else.
Even before Erik ten Hag officially took up his job as United manager, the Dutchman made it clear to the club that an area of the pitch needed immediate attention. operation, and quickly began to deal with McFred.
Manchester United rarely used Scott McTominay in his best role and spent a couple of years suppressing his energy in the pits by forcing him to sit deep with Fred. Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Christian Eriksen arrived and after a long and tortuous pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong ended in a predictable defeat, as did Casemiro. This summer they added Mason Mount and deadline day signing Sofyan Amrabat.
Fred was sent to Galatasaray and, had things worked out differently, McTominay could have easily left after the summer, when United were prepared to accept offers of between £40 million and £45 million for a player who had attracted interest from » West Ham.» Newcastle, Fulham, Inter and, interestingly, Bayern.
What's remarkable about this is that United could say goodbye to a player who spent time with the club more than 200 matches and almost never appeared on the field. used at its best and certainly not in a coherent structure.
Only in Scotland have we been given a more holistic look at what McTominay is capable of as he plays as a box-to-box midfielder with the license to attack and score goals, and as Gareth Southgate assesses how best to corner an ambitious team Steve Clark. Silencing United's unfashionable midfielder is likely to be high on the England manager's mind.
Tuesday's friendly at Hampden Park pits England against a Scottish side who are firmly on course for a place at next summer's Euros in Germany after five wins in five qualifiers, including their first win over Spain in 39 years.
The goal that started last night 💪#CYPSCO pic.twitter.com/RyVor42VCU
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 9, 2023
Two goals in a 3-0 win over Cyprus in March was followed by another brace in a landmark 2-0 win over Spain three days later, and after he played his part in a dramatic late comeback triumph with a score A 2-1 win over Haaland's Norway in June, McTominay then scored again in a 2-0 win over Georgia. On Friday he scored his sixth goal in five qualifying matches, opening the scoring after just six minutes in a 3-0 away win over Cyprus.
The striker initially rose through the youth ranks at Old Trafford. McTominay ended up completely transformed: he grew eight inches as a teenager and gained 10kg in a year, but retained the ability to strive for goals.
Clarke played with McTominay in a back three and perhaps one of the reasons he has been rotated so often in his career is his work ethic and team player mentality. But the Scotland manager admits McTominay is in his most dangerous situation yet, with license to get into the box and the results have been impressive, to the point that United fans are understandably wondering how he could have been misjudged for so long use in the penalty area. Old Trafford
Jordan Henderson has been given a new lease of life by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. McTominay had many champions at United in the sense of managers willing to praise his positivity, leadership and character, especially given some of the corrosive elements that have existed in that dressing room in recent years. But none of those who sought to truly reveal their strongest gaming qualities.
Darren Fletcher, the former United midfielder who was part of Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick's staff and now works under Ten Hag, has long been of the opinion that McTominay is a «real old-fashioned number 8».
» He can really be a box-to-box midfielder who can do a little bit of everything — break up play, lead the team forward, take shots, score goals, get into the box,” Fletcher said almost four years ago. .
Yes, there are undoubtedly better passers than McTominay, and perhaps this is a particular black mark for Ten Hag, but as a coach with a reputation for developing players, it is a surprise that the Dutchman has not done so. has found more use for the Scotland international in his best position.
What United's midfield has needed most this season is more energy, physicality, drive, mobility and goal threat, but Scott McTominay, who offers much of that things, haven't looked yet. With Amrabat now arriving on loan from Fiorentina, McTominay's chances may become even more limited, but perhaps Ten Hag is missing a trick.
Scotland fans will surely argue that he is.
Scotland fans will surely argue that he is.
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