Scott McTominay Could Still Be An Important Part Of Man Utd’s Future

Only two players (Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Hojlund) have scored more goals in Euro 2024 qualifying than Scott McTominay. The 26-year-old has been a driving force for Scotland who sit top of Group A with four wins from four games. McTominay has found the back of the net in three of them.

Any Manchester United fans who have watched Scotland play recently will have been surprised by what they have seen of McTominay. While the midfielder is frequently maligned for his lack of influence at club level, he is a pillar of the team Steve Clarke has pointed decisively in the direction of Euro 2024.

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For Scotland, McTominay is given freedom to get forward into the opposition penalty area. His late runs into the final third have given Scotland some much-needed goal threat with Callum McGregor deployed at the base of the midfield to offer security. McTominay’s attacking instincts are harnessed, not suppressed.

This isn’t the case at Manchester United where he has been categorised as a number six for much of his club career. Jose Mourinho first used McTominay as a midfield anchor upon breaking into the first team picture and it’s been difficult for the Scot to shake off this identity in the eyes of those at Old Trafford.

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Manchester United are expected to enter the transfer market for a new midfielder this summer. Mason Mount has been targeted with Chelsea already rejecting two offers from United for the England international. Erik Ten Hag wants Mount to be a pressing and creative force in the centre of the pitch.

McTominay, however, deserves a chance to truly prove himself as a box-to-box, attack-minded midfield operator. The 26-year-old is most effective when he can drive forward with the ball at his feet, spray possession wide and make a late run into the box to get on the end of a return pass. This has become his trademark for Scotland.

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Ten Hag might want a more technically-able midfield creator, but McTominay is certainly good enough for a place in Manchester United’s squad. There’s a reason Newcastle United have reportedly weighed up a move for the Scot following last season’s top four finish and Champions League qualification.

It might ultimately be the case that Manchester United will sell McTominay to raise transfer funds for the summer window, but they run the risk of watching the Scotland thrive elsewhere. His recent form for Scotland hints at the sort of player McTominay could be at club level, it’s just about finding the right club.