[macheda14]

Good to see Scott nearly returning, the example of a great player and true red to work very hard to return, if only we seen this enthusiasm from pogba...

Really?

 

[macheda14]

If we want to compete, McTominay can't be a starter.

For what? The league or just compete in general. McTominay is more than able to be starting for a team competing for fourth right now and that’s all that’s relevant.

 

[lysglimt]

It would be McTominay and Fred sitting deeper together IMO, don't think either is positionally disciplined enough (yet, at least) to anchor the midfield on their own

The dream would be MCT and Fred - with Rashford, Pogba and Fernandes further up the Field and Martial as a lone striker.

If we played that team - we have a front 6 who can match practically any team in the league

 

[roonster09]

The dream would be MCT and Fred - with Rashford, Pogba and Fernandes further up the Field and Martial as a lone striker.

If we played that team - we have a front 6 who can match practically any team in the league

To set up that team, we have to play like Serie A teams playing 4-3-1-2 or like Leipzig/PSG playing 4-2-2-2 formation with Bruno and Pogba playing as attacking mids, Martial and Rashford as strikers.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

If we want to compete, McTominay can't be a starter.

Crap.

The Sir Alex blueprint for a title winning team, from the man himself, is 7 outfield players of top quality and 3 players who can fill the gaps and add something different to the team. McTominay definitely adds to the team.

He also said that if he was still managing all his signings from now on would be players who’d sweat blood for the team to be successful over more talented but less committed players. McTominay fits in that bracket too.

 

[romufc]

Crap.

The Sir Alex blueprint for a title winning team, from the man himself, is 7 outfield players of top quality and 3 players who can fill the gaps and add something different to the team. McTominay definitely adds to the team.

He also said that if he was still managing all his signings from now on would be players who’d sweat blood for the team to be successful over more talented but less committed players. McTominay fits in that bracket too.

Why is it that fans think that it takes 11 superstars to win the league?

Like you say, you only need 7, and only 1/2 superstars really. Look at Liverpool, that midfield doesn't scream WOW! City's defence wasn't WOW!.

The same people are crying over losing Herrera who earns 250k a week. What can he do better that a 8 year younger McTominay can't?

 

[charlenefan]

If we want to compete, McTominay can't be a starter.

Same was said about Darren Fletcher and Jordan Henderson

 

[tenpoless]

Supposedly this is him.

How the feck did They know that was him. Black magic.

 

[DJ_21]

Really?

To what part mate?

 

[lumeyes]

Why is it that fans think that it takes 11 superstars to win the league?

Like you say, you only need 7, and only 1/2 superstars really. Look at Liverpool, that midfield doesn't scream WOW! City's defence wasn't WOW!.

The same people are crying over losing Herrera who earns 250k a week. What can he do better that a 8 year younger McTominay can't?

Another example to buttress your argument would be Real Madrid of years back. They practically filled the entire team with superstars - think of Beckham and Luis Figo in the same team - and we all saw how it turned out for them in local football. They didn't realise what players like Claude Makalele and McManaman meant for the team. I think 7 star players is the maximum and depending on the level of the star players, could even be a tad too many. Raul, Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro and Owen in the same team was an exercise in craziness.

 

[romufc]

Another example to buttress your argument would be Real Madrid of years back. They practically filled the entire team with superstars - think of Beckham and Luis Figo in the same team - and we all saw how it turned out for them in local football. They didn't realise what players like Claude Makalele and McManaman meant for the team. I think 7 star players is the maximum and depending on the level of the star players, could even be a tad too many. Raul, Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro and Owen in the same team was an exercise in craziness.

Exactly, they struggled in Europe for a while until recently as well.

In this day in age, you need 2/3 players and the rest can be very good players.

People don't realise what mentality can do.

I would like to give one example, the current favourite to win player of the year is Henderson. Put him in our team and we would not be better off. The difference is that he works for the team and helps these superstars shine without needing to be cuddled.

 

[MadDogg]

To what part mate?

Probably the part where you threw in a ridiculous shot at Pogba, despite the fact that he himself came back early last time only for that to blow up in everyones faces when he re-injured himself. Not to mention last season where he cut his pre-season short to come back early (actually didn't he do the same thing the previous season as well?). In other words he's shown multiple times that he works hard to come back early, including just a couple of months ago. So your little shot at him comes across as extremely petty and factually wrong.

 

[arthurka]

Good to see Scott nearly returning, the example of a great player and true red to work very hard to return, if only we seen this enthusiasm from pogba...

Again with this, we know nothing about how he is doing things. He posts a lot of videos of him working hard.

 

[Bwuk]

He's been missed badly imo. One of the few leaders in the side.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

McTerminator: "I'll be back."

 

[Rozay]

Exactly, they struggled in Europe for a while until recently as well.

In this day in age, you need 2/3 players and the rest can be very good players.

People don't realise what mentality can do.

I would like to give one example, the current favourite to win player of the year is Henderson. Put him in our team and we would not be better off. The difference is that he works for the team and helps these superstars shine without needing to be cuddled.

Henderson winning POTY is an embarrassment to the league. He’ll do well to get into England’s starting XI this summer, who themselves will do well to win the tournament.

 

[billybee99]

Exactly, they struggled in Europe for a while until recently as well.

In this day in age, you need 2/3 players and the rest can be very good players.

People don't realise what mentality can do.

I would like to give one example, the current favourite to win player of the year is Henderson. Put him in our team and we would not be better off. The difference is that he works for the team and helps these superstars shine without needing to be cuddled.

Are you taking the piss. The good teams have 2/3 good players? Liverpool, to use your example has approximately 7 players that are world class or bordering on world class. The SAF teams everyone keeps yammering about had outstanding players at nearly every position. Look at the players on the 2008 team. We're talking about Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Rio, Vidic, Evra, VDS, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick. These are stars. A lot of them. They had a few top quality workhorses who played a role like O'Shea or Brown or even Hargreaves. You need a lot of stars to win. For the record, I like McTominay a lot.

 

[macheda14]

To what part mate?

To you not knowing the extent of Pogba’s injury compared to McTominay’s. Pogba having rushed himself back previously in the campaign (all reports stating he did that because he wanted to play) and injuring himself further. But yeh continue your narrative.

 

[romufc]

Henderson winning POTY is an embarrassment to the league. He’ll do well to get into England’s starting XI this summer, who themselves will do well to win the tournament.

So everyone who votes on it doesnt understand football only you do because you want star studed line up ?

 

[romufc]

Are you taking the piss. The good teams have 2/3 good players? Liverpool, to use your example has approximately 7 players that are world class or bordering on world class. The SAF teams everyone keeps yammering about had outstanding players at nearly every position. Look at the players on the 2008 team. We're talking about Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Rio, Vidic, Evra, VDS, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick. These are stars. A lot of them. They had a few top quality workhorses who played a role like O'Shea or Brown or even Hargreaves. You need a lot of stars to win. For the record, I like McTominay a lot.

Yes you need very good players but not super stars, you only need 2.3 of them. The team you talk about was a team that dominated this league for 5/6 years and English football.

How many City players are WC?

 

[kouroux]

Good to see Scott nearly returning, the example of a great player and true red to work very hard to return, if only we seen this enthusiasm from pogba...

"Great player"

 

[Augustus Gloop]

The statistics don't lie except when you get them wrong. I don't know where to start. How about the first game of the season, 4-0 v Chelsea ? Or the 1-0 win v Leicester. We've conceded 18 goals in the 17 PL games in which McTominay started v 11 in the 8 matches he missed (with Scott on the pitch, we've conceded 17 in the equivalent of just over 16 games). That's despite being involved in a slightly more difficult set of fixtures. He started games against Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, Man City, Arsenal and Leicester, compared to missing Arsenal and Liverpool away games. 26 points in 17 games with, compared to 9 points in 8 games without.

With Matic and Fred together, we've beaten Burnley and Norwich, yet lost to Arsenal, Liverpool and Burnley; so much for your supposed stability. 2 clean sheets but 6 goals conceded in 5 games. In Cup games they have done better but how often do you come across situations such as the 1-0 win at City, where they were content to keep possession for long spells in the 2nd half despite losing the game ? Romero has only conceded 2 goals this season; there have been clean sheets in the Europa League and domestic Cup competitions almost regardless of the pairing in central midfield. Having said that, Matic has featured a lot in these competitions so must have contributed far more than the likes of Scott, who has just 2 starts in EL and the Chelsea Carabao Cup match.

If McTominay is not our best performer this season then he is certainly a close 2nd. On the official website, he was voted player of the month for both September and October (Rashford won Nov and Dec, James won August and Fred top in Jan). WhoScored rate Rashford's performances 7.34. Next best McTominay and Wan-Bissaka on 7.15. The average ratings on Redcafe have Romero top at 6.6, then Brandon Williams 6.3, McTominay 3rd at 6.0. Scott should be an automatic starter for United unless his performance level drops; if he doesn't suit a particular match situation, then substitute him early in the 2nd half.

McTominay has 3 goals and 1 assist (and won one penalty, that was missed) in the PL this season. The other players used in central midfield (33 starts between them) have 0 goals and 3 assists - Pogba 2, Pereira 1 when playing as a CM - (and won one penalty, that was saved) between them in the PL. Matic scored in the Carabao Cup against Man City but has only 2 goals and 1 assist in the PL since joining United. Fred is a bit unfortunate not to have made an assist this season. Last season Fred got 1 goal and 1 assist.

Liverpool's midfield is packed full of players like McTominay. They are all a few years older and performing at a slightly higher level, helped by using a system and line-up that rarely changes. Indeed, I would suggest that Scott is one of the few United players that could compete for a starting role in most of the top clubs in Europe; Barcelona and Man City being the two that he doesn't appear a good fit for.

Matic was 21 when he first joined Chelsea. He made 2 sub appearances in the PL then got sent on loan to Vitesse, then sold to Benfica, before rejoining Chelsea aged 25. When Carrick was McTominay's current age, he had just joined Spurs from West Ham. Fred was 25 when he arrived at United.

Of course Scott needs to improve, especially if United are to compete for the title.

THIS.

How refreshing to read a diligent and factually correct assessment of what Scott brings to the side.

I feared when he sustained his injury and the prognosis was a few months how that would affect the lad when he returned. But it’s pretty insane that he has nearly halved that initial prognosis and could be back in full training this week, considering knee injuries are nasty.

Still got my fingers crossed he returns against Chelsea. Might be too soon but he is clearly a Darren Fletcher type in these fixtures.Hopefully when he does comeback he is something of a Scott McTominay 2.0. He’s cited it’s his first real injury, I bet he’s hungry to displace either Matic or an in-form Fred.

 

[ash_86]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

#gayforMcTominay

 

[tjb]

Crap.

The Sir Alex blueprint for a title winning team, from the man himself, is 7 outfield players of top quality and 3 players who can fill the gaps and add something different to the team. McTominay definitely adds to the team.

He also said that if he was still managing all his signings from now on would be players who’d sweat blood for the team to be successful over more talented but less committed players. McTominay fits in that bracket too.

He is a ball winning midfielder who is 23. He has been giving consistently good performances, and even though he does have a few weaknesses in his game, he would fit in that role for us, even as a title challenging team. How many ball winners historically start out "world class". The same people saying this would have said the robertson would need to be on the bench for them to compete because his role is unremarkable. Yet I saw many here clamouring for Pereira when he was at Grenada even though he offered far less.

 

[tjb]

There are very few standout ballwinners or defensive midfielders in the game at the moment. He is the type of player that becomes great when given the experience and time to grow. There are players in our current squad that don't have the quality or determination to be class here. Mctominay is one of the few who can. In the older united teams, we did not buy every player from top tier clubs. I do not see why Mctominay could not become a Paul Ince if given time and patience.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Random one, but in a midfield 3 of McTominay, Fred & B.Fernandes, (our midfield 3 for next season I’d guess) which would you play as the DM?

I would think we will sign a proper DM replacement for Matic because none of those can really play that role reliably

 

[tjb]

I would think we will sign a proper DM replacement for Matic because none of those can really play that role reliably

It's a weird one. I think we may need to sign a defensive midfielder that can pass who can partner Mctominay, as that is the only real weakpoint in his game. Personally I feel his key strengths are his energy, aerial ability, balance and ability to hassle the opposition. He is very good at anticipating danger and has the balance and agility to get himself out of stick situations when he does win the ball. In a box to box capacity if developed, he also has the capacity to drive with the ball. Sometimes I feel we would be better suited to clearing the ball out of our area as Mctominay has the aggression, height, balance and ballwinning ability to win most midfield battles. His game is built to win second balls, the key to any successful premier league team. Currently at United, we are not a great team in possession, and the way we build from the back encourages the slow, tepid way we play as it allows the opposition the time to set up their shape defensively. Pushing the ball up the pitch faster will allow us through winning the midfield battle would provide our frontline the space to create chances from the attack rather than from midfield or defence.

 

[Rozay]

So everyone who votes on it doesnt understand football only you do because you want star studed line up ?

Maybe. Or maybe they feel hella deserves it because he’s such a great example’ or whatever other niceties allow them to claim that he has been better at playing football in the PL this season than Kevin de Bruyne has been. And if they genuinely vote for him over Kevin de Bruyne because they feel that the football he has played this season has been better, then they absolutely know less than me about football, as do you if you share such a ridiculous view.

You only win these things if your team wins. And even then, you would expect it to be for your team’s best player, not some sort of ‘Scott McTominay is my player of the year’ intangible bollocks.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Can’t wait for him to come back. That Spurs game when he came back from injury was imperious.

He looked like the complete midfielder. If he didn’t get injured we’d be in a much better position.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

#gayforMcTominay

Is this a thing?

 

[Hammondo]

It's a weird one. I think we may need to sign a defensive midfielder that can pass who can partner Mctominay, as that is the only real weakpoint in his game. Personally I feel his key strengths are his energy, aerial ability, balance and ability to hassle the opposition. He is very good at anticipating danger and has the balance and agility to get himself out of stick situations when he does win the ball. In a box to box capacity if developed, he also has the capacity to drive with the ball. Sometimes I feel we would be better suited to clearing the ball out of our area as Mctominay has the aggression, height, balance and ballwinning ability to win most midfield battles. His game is built to win second balls, the key to any successful premier league team. Currently at United, we are not a great team in possession, and the way we build from the back encourages the slow, tepid way we play as it allows the opposition the time to set up their shape defensively. Pushing the ball up the pitch faster will allow us through winning the midfield battle would provide our frontline the space to create chances from the attack rather than from midfield or defence.

Like Carrick?

 

[bosnian_red]

Random one, but in a midfield 3 of McTominay, Fred & B.Fernandes, (our midfield 3 for next season I’d guess) which would you play as the DM?

McTominay - Bruno Fernandes
Fred​

Basically now when fit, McTominay essentially plays a box to box role, while Fred plays the typical holding midfield/deep lying playmaker role. McTominay is a ball winner, but not really someone who can hold a midfield where the others are positionally lax. Fred isn't really either, but at least he plays as a pivot on the ball, will pick the ball up deep, is comfortable in possession and can pass it around. Ideally we'd want a Carrick behind McTominay and Bruno, to provide passing range, creativity, control in possession and positional organization from a defensive point of view. Carrick, Keane, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, etc. That type of player.

 

[The_Midfielder]

The goal he scored against Arsenal has to be our goal of the season..

 

[Okey]

I'm crossing everything he's fit for Chelsea. We're a different team with him in it.

 

[Impulse]

The goal he scored against Arsenal has to be our goal of the season..

Rashford freekick against Chelsea by a mile.

 

[SmashedHombre]

Looks like he hasn't left the gym since he got injured. Dude's a specimen for sure. Be nice to have him back, I was never his biggest fan but having him injured has made me appreciate him a lot more. McTom, Matic, Fred & Bruno sure looks a lot better than Fred + Mata/Pereira.

 

[Bondi77]

Good to see our most influential midfielder is not far away from a return.
Hopefully he is not rushed back as we want him fit for the rest of the season and along with Fred and Bruno and Ighalo we may be able to win something this season.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

How the feck did They know that was him. Black magic.

Using a crystal bowl.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

He was scheduled to come back after Inter break, IIRC it was after Chelsea game.

I see. So he managed to be back about 1-2 weeks earlier.