Not so long ago, Scott McTominay was billed as a future Manchester United captain.
Former manager Ralf Rangnick - who briefly took charge at Old Trafford after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking last season - rated the Scottish international highly. McTominay started 18 of the Austrian’s 23 Premier League fixtures as Red Devils boss, with injury or illness ruling him out of the other five.
“He is an academy boy and his energy is amazing,” Rangnick said after the midfielder scored a match-winning header against Aston Villa last January. “He's now also started scoring goals, and also with some leadership skills. I wouldn't be surprised if, in a couple of years, he would be the captain of this team.”
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However, his days at the Theatre of Dreams appear numbered under Erik ten Hag. While the Dutchman is slowly but surely rebuilding Man United following years of disarray, he has discarded McTominay to the scrapheap.
Just 170 top-flight minutes since September is reflective of how undervalued the 26-year-old has been this season. Big-money arrival Casemiro continues to earn the plaudits from the Stretford End, cementing McTominay’s status as the forgotten man.
Reports have linked Newcastle United with a move for the midfielder in recent weeks. Eddie Howe is suffering an injury crisis in his engine room following Bruno Guimaraes’ ankle injury.
As it stands, the Magpies only have three first-team midfielders fit and ready to start the weekend clash against Crystal Palace. The tireless work of Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock is taxing and, given the Champions League possibilities, you would expect another arrival before the window slams shut…
However, the reaction towards McTominay potentially arriving has been hostile. Various polls conducted on social media show supporters overwhelmingly oppose the idea of signing the Man United outcast.
But, as Howe has proven, he can rejuvenate even the bleakest of Premier League careers. Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar were all headed for the St James’ Park exit before spending a few weeks on the training ground with the former Bournemouth boss.
Perhaps McTominay is also in need of a Howe-inspired confidence boost to get his career back on track. Rangnick’s comments indicate there is a player, and potential good egg in the dressing room, worth saving. If anybody can do the job, it is him.
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