Scott McTominay may have scored four goals for Scotland during the international break, including two against Spain, but Erik ten Hag has made it obvious that he will not likely reprise the striker role of his youth in the Manchester United first team.
“It's clear he has scoring capabilities,” the Reds boss admitted this week. “Also this season for us he's a really good finisher. But I see him as a midfielder.”
The fan feeling is still very much against the ‘McFred’ midfield partnership that drew so much criticism last season when McTominay and Fred waned and wailed as a combination. It looked a case of as it was on the opening day of the season when the pair started together in the 2-1 home loss to Brighton.
READ MORE: Rashford travels with United squad for Newcastle
Both came in for more scathing reviews as Ten Hag’s era continued to get off to a worrying start a week later in the 4-0 loss to Brentford. After watching United succumb to the Seagulls, Paul Scholes did not hold any punches.
“McTominay was always trying to run with the ball, ridiculous - the quality in the middle of the pitch was really poor,” he scorned. “The quality in the middle of the pitch was nowhere near good enough but we’ve seen that for the last few years with these two players.”
Ten Hag has hardly, if at all, paired them together in the middle since. The Dutchman has improved the output of the whole United squad since the defeat to Brentford, and that includes both Fred and McTominay.
Each have done jobs for the team this season, albeit usually when not on the pitch at the same time. It seems Fred is more likely to start ahead of McTominay but the Scot has played 32 times this season, meaning he’s sat out only 14 of United’s 46 matches so far. Not bad for a rotation player.
He’s netted two important goals for his club this season, a late winner against Omonia in the Europa League and another in the 4-2 League Cup win over Aston Villa that started the road to the trophy lift at Wembley.
It seems he is most effective in his current role - a decent squad filler with a handful of sporadic starts. And quietly, confidence in his game is being restored.
Scholes’ comments on McTominay this week were telling and show how far he’s come on that journey. The midfielder is being linked with a potential move to Sunday’s opponents Newcastle after a mere seven Premier League starts this season.
There are likely to be more outgoings than incomings at United this summer but with Ten Hag keen to bolster midfield numbers, it is unlikely McTominay would be shown the door. Scholes hopes not, at least.
“He’s done great and will come back with loads of confidence. He’s a really talented player, he’s a really good player,” he said. “He’s got on with his job and he’s a top-class player, Scott.
“It’s a big few weeks for Scott with rumours about him leaving the club, a lot of rumours about Newcastle. I hate to see homegrown talent leaving the club to be honest with you but sometimes it has to happen.”
Despite the horrors of the last few years, on his current trajectory McTominay would likely have a number of fans sorry to see him go if an exit materialised.
READ NEXT:
