Undervalued Scott McTominay should be appreciated for his Manchester United goals
Scott McTominay edges closer to leaving Manchester United as Napoli move advances
Having been a part of Manchester United teams where heart and desire was often questioned, Scott McTominay is a player that should be appreciated.
Yet the Scot’s switch to Napoli seems to be welcomed by as many United fans who are disappointed in seeing an academy graduate leave the club.
McTominay should be valued for his character and thanked for his number of goals last season, as well as chipping in time and again in stand-out post Sir Alex Ferguson moments, finding the net in United’s final game before the Covid lockdown in dramatic fashion against Manchester City.
Having been at the club since the age of five, playing 253 first team games, McTominay should be classed as another one of Carrington’s success stories.
United’s academy have a history of bringing through top talents, with Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford coming under that bracket. The trio are deemed to be technically gifted, as opposed to McTominay. However, the 27-year-old understands the demands of the Premier League and he wouldn’t look out of place in most sides in the league.
Since being given his debut under Jose Mourinho in 2017, McTominay has played across the pitch, from centre back to centre forward, never seen as someone who’d downed tools under managers in an era where player power has been significant at Old Trafford.
McTominay’s departure can be understood with just one year remaining on his contract, and good resell value which seems to be going towards the signing of Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
United often played to McTominay’s box crashing strengths last season, but boss Erik ten Hag and the footballing structure above must realise last season’s instructions will only lead to more sub-par league finishes.
The decision to allow McTominay is correct. United need to move towards a new direction. One which will allow them to control games. Sadly, a player with limited qualities like McTominay doesn’t allow that, however, the club will still miss his goals and character.
It seems unlikely that the 10 goals McTominay scored last campaign will be replaced late on in the window, with the best part of United’s business all but complete, and that should be a real concern.
Last season, the Reds scored just 57 goals in the league, finishing the season with a negative goal difference and their lowest ever Premier League finish, having also struggled to take chances last weekend in their defeat to Brighton.
Ten Hag will be hoping attacking reinforcement Joshua Zirkzee can quickly find his feet, having already scored on his debut, as well as having Rasmus Hojlund back to full fitness after he suffered an injury against Arsenal in preseason.