I think the Fletcher comparisons are a mistake, to me it seems just because he's blond and Scottish; he's actually a very different type of midfielder. Did well today though, and showed there's value in keeping him around as a backup for Matic when needed.
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I agree with the sentiments here, i've been the first to say he doesn't look Utd quality due to his ability on the ball but today he used it so much better. I knew Mourinho was the problem but just how far that rot has set I really had no idea. Every singe player looks better than before which is making me hugely excited moving forwards. Back to McTominay, his forward passing was great and he seems to have really improved his physical game.
He stepped it up and looked really mature, kept it simple but that's what he's being asked to do.
Anyone has a compilation of his match yesterday? I missed the game
In the world of young talents I can understand why he isn't going to be the most revered youngster in modern day football but you can't second guess his ability. He's clearly got something that Jose and Ole have both seen and see a use for in the team.
He's not going to have a montage on youtube or instagram of stepovers and flicks like the Rashford's and Sancho's of this world but he's playing for United and playing well. Just get behind the lad.
He's not going to have a montage on youtube or instagram of stepovers and flicks like the Rashford's and Sancho's of this world but he's playing for United and playing well. Just get behind the lad.
except Jose decided to use him for his own agenda towards the board. Till now I am still angry how the feck Jose put Scott in CB position when clearly he is shit as CB. So glad, Ole is smart & positive manager and he knows how to use Scott the best for the team.
Especially when we had other options at CB. It was such a blatant statement from Jose. Thankfully Ole isn't into putting square pegs in round holes or bashing the board.
Still so much I need to learn when it comes to judging players. This guy was so composed yesterday and actually made numerous forward passes. I can’t believe it’s just taken 2 games and I’m already confident of him holding his own in the future. I’ve been waiting for those YouTube channels to post his involvement against palace but they’re running so slow.
Also there has to be a touch of carricks influence because you just don’t improve this much in passing. He spreads it very fast from flank to flank. Really looking forward to Saturday.
Also there has to be a touch of carricks influence because you just don’t improve this much in passing. He spreads it very fast from flank to flank. Really looking forward to Saturday.
Exactly. Jose bigged him up with that stupid trophy, then destroyed him just to stick one to the board. He should have been sacked after that West Ham match alone.
Excellent today. Got my man of the match. Wins a lot of tackles and headers, used his body well (As usual) but this game his passing was very good. Pinging balls between the lines to the strikers feet.
Not looking over his shoulder for the dull Jose pat on it. Some of those enforced performances were like the last days of the Lehman Brothers. Now he's coming into his own. Love it when players establish their own identity. One of the many Ole dividends if McTominay makes it proper.
I don’t agree that he was good. I think he was poor, or at best decent. I did think that he can improve enough to be consistently decent though, which will make him a good squad option. He passed the ball backwards repeatedly, although he started playing it through the lines in the last 20 mins which was nice. He was also poor under pressure, and typically ended up on the floor or one time, just fell apart and kicked it out of play because someone was near him.
Again, I do think he will get better, as much of what I think he did wrong yesterday was down to nerves I believe. That said, that wasn’t a good performance to me, and I was missing Matic.
Again, I do think he will get better, as much of what I think he did wrong yesterday was down to nerves I believe. That said, that wasn’t a good performance to me, and I was missing Matic.
Came here to say pretty much this. A really calm head at the end of the game. Loved him getting involved with Zaha, got right in his head. Deputised extremely well for Matic and deserves more game time off the back of that performance.
Really happy for the lad, and hope some people think twice before spouting vile at our less experienced players.
This guy is rated by SAF and Mourinho whom both combined major trophy is more than 60. Both of them can't possibly be wrong.
Eh? I feel like you were watching a different game. Did you watch the compilation above? at 1.06 and 1.47 (maybe a tad sketchy, but right idea) in the first half he was playing forward well. It didn't really help his ability to play forward to have a half fit Fred, a leggy Pogba and Lukaku up top.
Perhaps he made a forward pass before the 70th minute, that’s not really my point. Overall, I left the game thinking he should have passed it forward more than he did. That doesn’t mean he didn’t pass it forward at all. I’m sure he did.
I liked how he zipped a few of the passes forward (one in particular to Pogba). Hes doing the simple stuff well and keeping the ball moving which is what you wanna see. I reckon with more game time, he will get more experience and feel more confident about trying things (especially against lower opposition).
At the very least he has proven himself to be a reliable squad option, thought he was pretty decent last night. Good lad, and Scottish too!
He's only played 2 games and he's 22 so I don't think he needs a rest just yet, he should be full of energy.
Is that Lindelof urging Smalling to play the ball forward than sideways/backwards around the 58-60 sec mark
Just watched the video. Overall performance looks better than I first felt. I do think it was more on the average side overall, but that’s not a criticism. The team was disjointed in general, and I saw encouraging signs that if he settles and isn’t nervous he can offer more.
If he can build that Carrickesque passing into his game it would greatly increase his changes of making it long time at United. In a game like yesterday's, having the ability to pass through the oppositions lines is a great threat, and when the back line is having trouble playing it forward on the wings the midfield has to have that range in order to take control of the game.
I was surprised to see this part of his game yesterday, and he'll have a couple more games now in Matic' absence, where he hopefully can keep putting in these kind of performances. It would be interesting to see him with Rashford and Martial as forwards, instead of Lukaku and Sanchez.
He was fantastic today. A tricky tie and he puts in an honest and mature shift; looks miles ahead of Fred. McTominay was always looking for a forward pass, which was different than his previous outings where he was more cautious. He's only going to grow in confidence. Another youth coming through.
Really good performance from him last night, possibly the best in his career. He was everywhere, doing the right thing and did a perfect replacement for Matic.
Always liked Anders more, but Scott has been better than him and should be higher in the pecking order. He is our fourth best midfielder at the moment.
Always liked Anders more, but Scott has been better than him and should be higher in the pecking order. He is our fourth best midfielder at the moment.
Yeah. I don't think that he can become more than a Cleverley type of player, but there is no harm in keeping him for another 2 seasons and see how well he does. Maybe he'll surprise a few of us and actually become much better.
Very impressed. If he can continue his form, he will save a signing over summer.
Matic was playing on loan at Vitesse Arnhem when he was the same age as McT.
Doesn't look scared of making forward passes, plus he can quite frustrate opponent with the ball shielding.
Not too shabby.
Not too shabby.
Easily his best this season. He did have a couple of matches last season at a similar level.
Think he did very well on the ball, but he made 1 tackle (0 interceptions) near the end of the game and 1 foul. So he could do a lot better with ball winning and protecting the backline
There’s more to protecting the backline than tackles and interceptions. Which is why analysing a performance by stats alone is kind of daft. Bar a 10-15 minute spell in the second half our defence was getting excellent protection. In a tricky away fixture. Considering how Fred had a bit of a shocker that speaks volumes about what a good job McTominay was doing.
To improve his carrickesque passing, first of all he must improve his left foot. One of the main reasons Carrick was so quality, is that he could play a first touch forward pass from every angle he received the ball, without wasting time to accomodate the ball to his rigth.
Let’s not mentioning Carrick. Carrick had the talent for a top passer both feet with great vision, on top of that one of the best positioning in the game. McTominay is completely different player to Carrick, he’s more likely to be in the same level as Matic at the maximum level he can achieve. Just good midfielder overall with no speciality of a top or world class attributes.
He was my motm.
He was my motm.
With McTominay, you have to taper your expectations and be graceful in terms of his limitations.
Will he improve in the aspects which he is weaker in? Assuredly so.
Will he develop Carrick-esque ball-playing ability? Likely not.
But....
He's very strong, clever without the ball, reliable in big games, improving his courage on the ball, difficult to dispossess and an excellent ball-winner. Even if his improves his weaknesses a degree and becomes better at his strengths, there's definitely going to be a top player in there.
Will he improve in the aspects which he is weaker in? Assuredly so.
Will he develop Carrick-esque ball-playing ability? Likely not.
But....
He's very strong, clever without the ball, reliable in big games, improving his courage on the ball, difficult to dispossess and an excellent ball-winner. Even if his improves his weaknesses a degree and becomes better at his strengths, there's definitely going to be a top player in there.
Embarrassing that a 30 year old CB has to be told this at this level.Is that Lindelof urging Smalling to play the ball forward than sideways/backwards around the 58-60 sec mark
EDIT - Looks like it might be directed at Fred... dear me.
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I noticed that during the game. I thought he was telling Fred to get forward. Either way, I like how Lindelof is being vocal and fill the leadership gap at the back for us.Is that Lindelof urging Smalling to play the ball forward than sideways/backwards around the 58-60 sec mark
This seems to be the longer version. You might be right that he was talking to Fred, but looking at Smalling. But he was pretty animated with his hands.
And yes, it is nice that he is more vocal now.
Would never have be McT's biggest supporter but though he was brilliant last night. Showed some decent bottle at times too with some assured, driven passes to Lukaku's feet feet while it was 2-1. He was playing the type of balls I would expect a more mature head, like Fred, to be playing.
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