The evolution of Scott McTominay from dull midfielder to Manchester United leader
When Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick flew into the top corner against Chelsea on Wednesday you would have been forgiven for thinking it was Scott McTominay's goal. Not because the 22-year-old is known for his long distance shooting, albeit that is an area of his game that is improving, but the manner of his celebration.
McTominay was one of the first to join Rashford in front of their travelling supporters. Down on his knees, screaming with joy as he clenched both fists, McTominay revelled in Rashford's 73rd-minute like it was his own.
It's not the first time McTominay's emotions have spilled over after a United goal or victory. In fact, it wasn't even the only time at Stamford Bridge. The Scotland international was the only United player jumping for joy at the sound of the full-time whistle, as the Red Devils booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
It is quite simple. McTominay loves playing for United, his boyhood club since the age of nine, and he embodies everything about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's vision for United. He's young, British and will do everything for the shirt. Though McTominay has flourished under Solskjaer, he was given his big break at Old Trafford by Jose Mourinho and the Portuguese notably even singled out the youngster for special praise at the club's end of season awards in May 2018.
"I was going to for him [Nemanja Matic], but then I understood that in the two awards for young players, Scott was not getting one," Mourinho explained when quizzed about his choice for Manager's Player of the Year award at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. "I changed my mind because it wasn't acceptable. He is the one who has done everything. He started the season in the academy and ended it playing big games in the Premier League. I thought this kid cannot go home without an award."
Mourinho still keeps in contact with McTominay now, almost a year since he was sacked by United. While McTominay was one of the few United players Mourinho had complete trust in, the feeling was not recipricated among supporters at the time. As a product of the club's academy, they would never turn on the young midfielder but his performances on the pitch did little to suggest he had a long-term future at Old Trafford. McTominay struggled to assert himself and generally offered little to United, both offensively and defensively.
One of United's biggest problems in recent years has been their inability to penetrate teams who operate with a low-block. There has been a huge over-reliance on Paul Pogba to do exactly that since his return to the club with others in midfield failing to chip in. McTominay isn't as talented as Pogba on the ball and his primary job isn't to play the final pass or slalom past defenders but a return of just one key pass and one dribble completed in 16 league appearances last season is staggering. Phil Jones even out performed McTominay in both departments (three key passes and three dribbles completed) and it's safe to assume they were all accidents. It's even more remarkable when you consider McTominay managed just one tackle per 90 last term and breaking up opposition play is certainly high on his list of responsibilites in United's midfield.
After being confirmed United's permanent manager in March, Solskjaer headed into the summer wanting at least one new central midfielder to cover for the departures of Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini. United were heavily linked with moves for the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Paulo Dybala but talks collapsed for all three. A problem area in the squad had not been addressed and United supporters were understandably underwhelmed by the club's lack of transfer dealings come the end of the summer.
McTominay turned in impressive displays against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain towards the end of last season but supporters did not expect him to be a first-team regular this season, let alone one of the first names on the teamsheet. There have even been suggestions McTominay could be a future United captain after recent displays. A mark of McTominay's improvements over the last few months is that United supporters have called for Pogba to take a leaf out of his book in order to fulfil his own potential at Old Trafford.
McTominay was perhaps fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card against Chelsea but the youngster turned in a thoroughly commanding display in the middle of the park at Stamford Bridge. No player involved made more tackles and interceptions combined (10) than McTominay, as United recorded successive wins away to Chelsea for the first time since 1998.
He is already recorded more key passes (six) and completed more dribbles (15) than he did across the whole of last season and his endeavour and drive from midfield has made him an integral player to Solskjaer's plans, illustrated by the fact only Harry Maguire (900) has featured in more minutes playing time than McTominay (887) of all United outfielders in the Premier League so far this term. McTominay looked out of place during his first two years in the United first-team but now he looks assured of himself and is brimming with confidence.
Fabinho and Wilfred Ndidi are considered masters in robbing opponents of the ball in the Premier League and McTominay is operating at a level not too far behind. Ndidi has won possession in the midfield third on 52 occasions in the league this season, with Fabinho one back. McTominay has managed the feat 45 times, while impressively ranking fourth in the division for most fouls won (26). He has not only transformed into a midfielder capable of winning the ball back but has proved extremly difficult to shake off it without doing so illegally.
Prior to this season it was thought McTominay was too safe in possession. Boring, to put it mildly, particularly as he wasn't imposing himself in matches without the ball as he does now. That has changed this season and he is certainly taking greater risks. Dribbles are up but his patterns of play have also changed. Passes per 90 minutes have only increased marginally from last season (46.8) to this (52) but he isn't being as conversative with them. McTominay averaged just 1.8 accurate long balls per 90 last term but that figure is up to 4.1 this time around, ranking behind only Pogba (6.6) and Maguire (5.2) of all United players.
It's unlikely many youngsters will grow up dreaming of becoming 'the next Scott McTominay' but his attitude and application is certainly to be admired. It's those qualities Solskjaer believes United require to have any chance of getting back to their former glories and on top of that McTominay is developing into a fine midfieldr. He has certainly silenced his doubters, including me.
