Ten Hag: McTominay is giving the team a lot

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Ten Hag: McTominay is giving the team a lot

Saturday 17 February 2024 10:00

The output produced by Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is something that is certainly being appreciated by his manager, Erik ten Hag.

When it comes to scoring goals, the 27-year-old is enjoying the most impactful season of his club career so far, netting a personal-best eight times already in 2023/24.

The most recent of those efforts was, of course, the decisive moment of last weekend’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa, as Scott came off the bench to powerfully nod home Diogo Dalot’s sweeping cross from the right, late on.

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Minutes in midfield have been reduced for the Scotland international since Casemiro’s return from long-term injury last month, but he is still striving to give his all and have an influence at every given opportunity.

The Reds’ no.39 has provided a goal involvement in each of his last three appearances, with the Villa Park winner following on from another goal in the Midlands, away to Wolves, and his assist for Alejandro Garnacho’s second in the recent triumph at home to West Ham United.

McTominay’s form means that he is a consistent option for Ten Hag’s starting XI, as the boss has explained ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game away at Luton Town, in his pre-match Q&A.

“I think, for every game, he’s a consideration and he’s doing it across the whole season,” Erik said, speaking to club media before the Kenilworth Road trip.

“He’s performing very good. He scored so many goals, but not only scoring so many goals, he’s giving, also in other areas, the team a lot. Yeah, and also for Sunday, he’s a consideration.”

Although Scott has been able to contribute with a string of successful second-half cameos, the Reds’ recent run of positive results in the Premier League – three wins from as many games since the winter break – has given Ten Hag reason to keep a consistent XI and make minimal changes where possible.

The aforementioned results have seen the Reds rise to sixth in the table and keep the pressure on the teams above us in the race for UEFA Champions League football, but the boss goes on to say in his interview with MUTV’s Mark Sullivan that the focus must remain on what we can control, in that regard.

“We have to look at ourselves and we have to catch up,” Erik insists.

“We know that [there are teams above us who need to drop points] and so we are dependent on them. But there are many games to play.

“But we have to win every game. So, every game, for us, is a final.

“So, get the right focus, get the right levels and get the points. And then we will see.”

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Saturday 17 February 2024 10:00