Scott McTominay

[Andi Istiabudi]

SOLSKJAER TIPS MCTOMINAY TO ENJOY LONG UNITED CAREER

Scott McTominay’s first senior goal for Manchester United was a clear positive from an otherwise frustrating night at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has paid tribute to the improving Academy graduate who is learning all the time.

McTominay started in central midfield at Molineux in the absence of injured team-mate Ander Herrera, and he made an excellent start to the evening with a moment of individual brilliance.

Receiving a pass from Fred on the edge of the penalty area, Scott calmly rolled the ball to his right before unleashing a driven shot that skidded into the bottom corner of Rui Patricio’s goal. It was the 22-year-old’s maiden competitive strike for the seniors, after previously netting for our various youth sides.

In spite of a spirited team performance from United, Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves team turned the game on its head thanks to an equaliser from Diogo Jota and an unfortunate own goal from Chris Smalling.

Solskjaer was clearly disappointed in his post-match comments to the media, but the boss had plenty of positive things to say about McTominay’s display in the Midlands and recent form.

“Scott has never ever let us down and he never disappoints when he plays,” Solskjaer told reporters at his press conference. “And tonight was another very, very fine performance by Scotty. So, it won’t be hard to see him play many, many games for Man United, because he has got such a great mentality.

“He is so athletic, he can play in different positions. Today we feel that’s his best position, like a high midfielder, but he can play in that defensive role easily, like he has done against PSG and Liverpool. So I was very, very pleased with him.”

McTominay’s goal in Wolverhampton made him the 17th different United player to score in the Premier League this season, which is more than any other top-flight campaign this season.

The other players in that group - listed in positional order - are Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini, Fred, Ander Herrera, Andreas Pereira, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku.

www.manutd.com

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McTominay: Silakan Saja Sebut MU Underdog
Randy Prasatya - detikSport



Manchester - Manchester United tak diunggulkan bisa mengalahkan Barcelona di perempatfinal Liga Champions. Scott McTominay keberatan dengan penilaian itu.

MU cuma dianggap sebagai tim underdog di hadapan Barca. Padahal, The Red Devils sudah mampu menyingkirkan Paris Saint-Germain dengan comeback sensasional di 16 besar.

Setan Merah akan memulai pertandingan melawan Barca di Old Trafford, Kamis (11/4/2019) dinihari WIB. Sepekan kemudian, gantian MU yang bertandang ke markas Blaugrana.

"Itu hanya pendapat bahwa kami yang underdog. Setiap orang memiliki pendapat dan itulah sepakbola," kata McTominay seperti dikutip dari situs resmi MU.

"Tetapi kami tahu apa yang bisa kami lakukan dan bagaimana kami akan mengatur dan bagaimana kami akan pergi untuk pertandingan, jadi penting bagi kami untuk melakukannya dengan benar," sambungnya.

"Ini adalah perempatfinal Liga Champions dan mayoritas pemain telah memainkan permainan pada tahap ini. Kami semua profesional dan kami semua menikmati kesempatan untuk pergi dan menunjukkan bahwa kami adalah kekuatan yang harus dihentikan juga," tegasnya.

Mantan pemain MU pada masa 19884-1988, Jesper Olsen, sebelumnya sudah menilai bahwa Paul Pogba dkk. cuma underdog. Situasi itu akan menguntungkan MU.

"Tentu saja. Ini dua leg, bukan? Barcelona memiliki pengalaman hebat, tetapi saya tidak berpikir itu tidak mungkin, itu akan sangat, sangat sulit, tentu saja," kata Olsen kepada Omnisport.

"Siapa pun pada tahap ini akan sulit. Saya pikir MU adalah underdog dalam hal ini jadi mereka tak memiliki beban dan Barcelona lebih mendapat tekanan (jika kalah)," tegasnya.

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'He's proven to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he can be trusted': Rio Ferdinand hails Scott McTominay's performance for Manchester United against Barcelona as Owen Hargreaves says fine display was a 'defining moment' for starlet

* Barcelona beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday
* Twenty-two-year-old midfielder Scott McTominay was United's man of the match
* Pundits Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves praised the Scottish youngster
* Ferdinand told BT Sport: 'He's proven to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he can be trusted'

On a pitch full of international stars — including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paul Pogba — it was a humble Scot who left Old Trafford with the most praise on Wednesday night.

Manchester United failed to register a single shot on target as they lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, but Scott McTominay was thoroughly impressive in midfield for the beaten hosts.

Former United captain Rio Ferdinand, working as a pundit for BT Sport, hailed McTominay and said the 22-year-old 'was great'.

Ferdinand added: 'He grew into the game. He's grown in stature. Today, his energy, his intensity... he was the catalyst for a lot of good things that happened.

'There are sometimes performances that make you grow in stature and make you feel part of the first-team.'

'He's added to his name. He was very, very good. He was positive, he was reliable, he was aggressive. He's proven to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he can be trusted, which is vital for a young player.'

Ex-United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was also encouraged by what he saw from seven-time Scotland international McTominay.


Manchester United's No 39 Scott McTominay battles for the ball with Barcelona's Lionel Messi

Hargreaves told BT Sport: 'That's a defining moment against Barcelona. That's him now established. Really credit to him because that's fantastic.

'For a young man to be the best player on the pitch when Fred cost £50m, Pogba cost £90m, it's incredible.'

Wednesday's outing was McTominay's second Champions League appearance of the season.

He has also featured in 12 Premier League games, including seven as a starter.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6909597/Rio-Ferdinand-hails-Scott-McTominays-performance-against-Barcelona.html

Herrera kabarnya hampir pasti ke PSG, sudah setuju dengan gaji yg ditawarkan, saatnya McTominay diberikan kesempatan lebih u/ jadi starter berduet dengan Matic

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Solskjaer: McTominay, Kamu Fantastis
- detikSport



Manchester - Manchester United kalah 0-1 dari Barcelona. Namun begitu, Setan Merah memberikan perlawanan sengit. Secara khusus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer memuji Scott McTominay.

Pada laga leg pertama perempatfinal Liga Champions di Old Trafford, Kamis (11/4/2019) dinihari WIB, MU menggunakan formasi 3-5-2 untuk menghadapi Barcelona.

Menumpuk banyak pemain di lini tengah, Setan Merah terlihat jelas ingin meminimalisasi kreativitas Los Cules di sektor ini.

Benar saja, Barca bermain tak bisa leluasa. Meski unggul penguasaan bola 67%:33% mereka kesulitan mencari dan menciptakan ruang. Jumlah tembakan pun kalah dari MU (6:10). Pada akhirnya satu gol dibuat skuat besutan Ernesto Valverde, itupun via bunuh diri Luke Shaw.

Salah satu pemain yang mendapat pujian dari Ole Gunnar Solskjaer adalah McTominay. Pemain yang baru 10 kali menjadi starter musim ini tersebut dinilai tampil solid.

Setelah sempat mencetak gol ketika Setan Merah kalah 1-2 dari Wolverhampton Wanderers, McTominay kembali bermain penuh di laga melawan Barca.

"Fantastis," ujar Solskjaer ketika ditanya soal penampilan McTominay kepada BT Sport. "Setiap kali bermain, dia berkembang, begitu juga saat menguasai bola," lanjut sang manajer.

Menurut statistik Whoscored, gelandang 22 tahun itu berhasil membuat dua dribel sukses, memenangi 75% duel, dan melakukan satu tekel berhasil.

"Dia adalah atlet hebat. Dia bisa berlari seharian, menang duel, memiliki kaki yang cepat, dan hari ini ia sangat baik dalam mengontrol bola. Ia beberapa kali menggiring bola. Sejujurnya, dia mulai padu dengan permainan kami," lanjut pria asal Norwegia itu.

Atas penampilannya tersebut, dia terpilih sebagai man of the match di antara pemain MU.

[zudomiriku]

Scott was fantastic... he's getting better with every game': Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauds McTominay after his coming of age display against Barcelona

* Scot McTominay impressed for Manchester United in the Champions League
* The midfielder put in an assured display at Old Trafford against Barcelona
* His manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer singled him out for praise after the match
* There is no doubting that he has what it takes to play at the highest level

He's not the new Darren Fletcher. Not yet. Nor is he a like-for-like deputy to rampaging, World Cup-winning, multiple threat Paul Pogba. No matter what Jose Mourinho thought.

But Scott McTominay's value to his country, as much as his club, need not be in doubt any longer.

The kid has what it takes to play at the highest level. Be that in huge Champions League knockout ties against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain - or in major qualifiers for Scotland.

At a time when so much criticism has been raining down upon national team boss Alex McLeish, then, we should all give thanks that his patient persistence pushed McTominay to choose Scotland over England.

In definitively deciding to represent the land of his father rather than the country where he was born and raised, the Manchester United player was showing faith in McLeish as well as his team-mates.

Well, when a man drives overnight through a terrifying blizzard just to make his case, it's bound to carry some weight.

So, sure, the fact that McLeish didn't start McTominay in Kazakhstan - when the Scots were crying out for a natural defensive midfielder who could also use the ball - is bound to irk.

Even allowing for the tummy bug that possibly made even his involvement from the bench a bit risky.


Scott McTominay's value to his country, as much as his club, need not be in doubt any longer. The kid has what it takes to play at the highest level, be that for United or for Scotland

But credit Big Eck for spotting the potential of a player who was, let's be honest, something of an intangible - hardly unknown but certainly hard to judge, given his lack of exposure at elite level - when he first started wooing him for Scotland.

Just over a year ago, remember, McLeish braved the Beast From The East - as the Met Office dubbed the freezing storms that swept across the UK - to drive to Manchester and meet with McTominay.

Although the Scotland manager insists there wasn't much he needed to say to nudge the youngster over the line, he handled it well. Right down to giving his prospective player time and space to think about all of the available options.

Seven caps into his international career, the 22-year-old's performance against Barcelona at Old Trafford on Wednesday night will have convinced any wavering Tartan Army regulars that McLeish landed a good 'un.

New United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer singled the Scot out for praise in the way he has seized his opportunities this season, just as he is reaching an age where it is absolutely vital that he plays first-team football.

'Scott comes into the training ground every day with a fantastic attitude and that's the way to improve,' said the Norwegian.

'Every game he plays, he grows and grows - and he was one of the first ones to take the ball down and settle us (against Barca).


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer singled him out for praise in the way he has seized his shot this season. McLeish's patient persistence pushed McTominay to choose Scotland over England

'It was a fantastic game for Scott. Every time he plays for us he is improving.

'He's a great athlete, he can run all day long. He wins challenges, he's quick on his feet.

'He was composed, brought the ball down a few times. He started settling us, to be fair.' Think on that for a moment. In a game where Manchester United were without the ball for long, long spells, the player who settled the home side was a youngster still trying to establish himself as a first-team regular.

Pogba didn't impose himself. Team captain Ashley Young had a nightmare. But McTominay stepped in and brought a degree of control to a game that was slipping away from United.

When Mourinho picked the tall and imposing midfielder in place of Pogba, it felt like an act of petty politics on the part of the now-departed manager.

That's not to say Jose didn't value him, because he did. Which became a bit of problem, as the Special One's star waned.

The fact that Solskjaer has started McTominay against Liverpool, PSG and now Barca proves what he thinks of him.

Former United centre-half Rio Ferdinand said of his performance against Busquets, Rakitic et al: 'That solidified him as a Manchester United regular.

'That is a defining moment for a young man against a Barcelona team. That's him now established and I think it's a massive moment for him - and really credit to him because I think he was terrific.

'For a young man to be the best player on the pitch when Fred cost £50m, Pogba cost £90m, it's incredible.

'He grew into the game and I think he's growing in stature. In the PSG game there was no expectations of him - the young, inexperienced person - to do well.

'But I thought his energy, his intensity... he was the catalyst for a lot of the good stuff that happened.

'He won a lot of balls back and then gave the ball simply and efficiently to other players.

'I just think that there are sometimes performances that really do make you grow in stature and believe that you're part of the first team.

'I think the PSG game and now this one will really do that, and I think he'll be respected even more.' Remarkably, McTominay was never considered one of the shining stars in the United youth academy, with many expecting him to go no further than perhaps a handful of first-team appearances.

He was only moved from the academy building to the first-team dressing room when Andreas Pereira went on loan to Valencia last season, having began the campaign in the Under-23s, with occasional starts for the Under-21s.

If he continues to make the most of every chance, keeps on rising to each successive challenge, he may soon live up to the too-early hype hailing him as the natural heir to Fletcher.

McLeish has shown that he will be patient, at least for however long he is still in situ. Can the Tartan Army be similarly forbearing? McTominay might just be worth the wait.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6914115/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-lauds-McTominay-display-against-Barcelona.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

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MCTOMINAY CELEBRATES APRIL AWARDS DOUBLE

Scott McTominay has been reflecting on a run of strong personal performances that have earned him the Manchester United Player of the Month award for April.

The midfielder was the Reds’ star man last month after several impressive performances, including a Man of the Match showing in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona.

The 22-year-old also won the Goal of the Month vote for his strike in the 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which was his first senior goal.

The Scotland international is now looking to build on his recent good form and is hoping he can establish himself as a key player at Old Trafford after impressing the fans.

“It’s a nice award to get, especially at the end of the season and obviously I want to go on and win more next season and in the seasons after that. Obviously though the most important thing is for the team to be successful,” Scott said.

“Manchester United fans are loyal, they stand behind us and with us no matter what, so that’s amazing to see. I just want to try to show them that I’m a humble lad who wants to work hard and show some quality at the end of that.”

The Academy graduate featured in five of the Reds’ seven games during April but is in no doubt as to what was his most memorable moment.

“That was special, to be fair. One of the best feelings I’ve ever had on a football pitch,” he said when asked about opening the scoring at Molineux.

“I’ve played in some big Champions League and Premier League games, but that was sweet. Especially as my Dad, my girlfriend and one of my best pals were there in the crowd as well.

“It was a nice feeling. When I went home, it was just more gutting that we’d lost. It was so tough to take.”

Scott went on to reveal that the technique behind the goal is something he’s been working on in training.

“Kieran McKenna is always on at me about my shooting from outside the box, telling me to get my head over the ball, hitting them like Scholesy, Carras, Frank Lampard, the way they dip the ball and get their head right over it.

“It’s just getting that contact and Kieran’s been incredible for me. I’ve worked with him for about four or five years now and the information he’s passed through to me has been absolutely second to none.

“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve worked under.”

www.manutd.com

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'That's how you want it to feel': Scott McTominay hailed for showing his dejection after Manchester United miss out on top four by sitting on bench following Huddersfield draw

* Scott McTominay scored against Huddersfield as Manchester United drew
* Result means United can no longer qualify for next season's Champions League
* Pundits were full of praise for the 22-year-old midfielder as he sat on the bench

Scott McTominay showed his devastation after Manchester United's draw against Huddersfield on Sunday.

The midfielder scored in the eighth minute at the John Smith's Stadium but United were unable to hold out and slipped to a 1-1 draw that has cost them a place in the top four.

McTominay was clearly dejected after his side missed out on Champions League football with the draw, as footage showed him sitting on the bench following the full time whistle looking upset.


Scott McTominay showed his devastation after Manchester United's draw at Huddersfield. The midfielder scored on Sunday but was clearly dejected after missing out on the top four. Footage showed him sitting on the bench following the full-time whistle looking upset

Pundits were full of praise for the 22-year-old on Malaysian channel Stadium Astro.

Presenter Adam Carruthers flagged up McTominay's sadness and said: 'He looks smashed'.

Danny Higginbotham commented: 'That's how you want it to feel. If you're sitting there laughing and joking then it's no good.

'He was a standout player today. He's had a fantastic season, scored again today — his second goal for the football club — and he is a player, no doubt about it whatsoever, that Solskjaer will want around the place.

'He looks like the type of player that if I said to him, I want you to play in goal today, he'd go 'Okay, no problem'.



'"I want you to play centre back, centre forward, left wing," I think he'd do it. He's been absolutely excellent.'

Dave Kitson added: 'If United had 11 players putting in the effort of that kid there they'd have won this game'.

United supporters on Twitter have also been suggesting an old Jose Mourinho quote sums up McTominay relative to the rest of their side, commenting 'Jose was right'.

Mourinho previously said: 'Scott is a kid with a special character, very humble, aggressive, brave, he's a special kid.

'He's a special character that a team in a negative moment needs. Do my other players have that mentality? Not all of them.'

United are sixth in the Premier League, four points behind Spurs in fourth with a game left to play.

McTominay has played 15 league matches this campaign.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6996759/Man-Utds-Scott-McTominay-shows-dejection-sitting-bench-following-Huddersfield-draw.html

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OPINION: MCTOMINAY CAN BE A FLETCHER IN UNITED'S FUTURE
by Stuart Mathieson

Scott McTominay may have scored Manchester United's only goal in Sunday's draw at Huddersfield Town but it's his all-round attributes that could make him a key figure under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 22-year-old could prove to be the kind of player for Solskjaer that Darren Fletcher was to Sir Alex Ferguson for around a decade.

Every team needs a 'Mr Dependable' like Darren - a go-to, solid, reliable character with a strong work ethic. It's still early days for McTominay, who made his first-team debut against Arsenal just two years ago this week, but he has already shown signs that he could emulate his fellow Scotland international.

On a disappointing Sunday afternoon in Yorkshire, when the Reds' quest for a Champions League place was ended by the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield, McTominay still emerged with some credit.

He’d put United ahead at the John Smith’s Stadium and was the effervescent dynamo that attempted to keep the Reds going when the relegated Terriers rallied in their final top-flight home game.

McTominay's display deserved a better outcome than to be crossing back over the Pennines contemplating Europa League football next season.

It is never easy putting your personal stamp on a United side but it is a smoother job to take on when the side are riding the crest of a wave. McTominay, however, has won plaudits at a time when the Reds have found it hard to recapture the halcyon days.

To stand out, make an impact and provide a spark when the squad is low on collective confidence is a tough task. But the Academy graduate in our no.39 shirt has stepped up to do just that when he’s had his starting chances. Winning the club’s Player of the Month award for April was just reward for the young Red.

Solskjaer has consistently handed out deserved public praise for McTominay. After his first senior goal at Molineux in the 2-1 Premier League defeat against Wolves, the manager said, “Scott has never ever let us down and he never disappoints when he plays.

“This [match at Wolves] was another very, very fine performance by Scotty. So, it won’t be hard to see him play many, many games for Man United, because he has got such a great mentality.

“He is so athletic, he can play in different positions. Today we feel that’s his best position, like a high midfielder, but he can play in that defensive role easily, like he has done against PSG and Liverpool. So I was very, very pleased with him.”

Before the Huddersfield match, Solskjaer added: “Scott's been absolutely brilliant since I've come. In training he's been absolutely terrific, in the games as well.”

And McTominay has stood out even in the company of elite opposition. After the 1-0 Champions League quarter-final loss to Barcelona at Old Trafford, the manager paid tribute to the midfielder.

“Scott McTominay was fantastic,” said Ole. “Every time he plays for us he is improving.

“He’s a great athlete, he wins his challenges and he's quick on his feet. He started settling us to be fair [after United went behind].”

It was a personal performance when up against Lionel Messi and co that also had Solskjaer's predecessor, Jose Mourinho, purring.

It was the Portuguese who promoted Scott to the senior side on that May 2017 trip to Arsenal; speaking as a pundit after the Barca match, the former Reds boss said: “Barcelona was not Barcelona and I think United had one player that was responsible for that.

”I think Scott McTominay in midfield was like what I used to call 'a mad dog'. But when I use this expression it’s obviously in the total positive sense of the word

“Afraid of nobody. Imposing his respect. Pressing really hard with a huge range of movement and a huge area of pressing. Pressing higher and creating problems in Barcelona building up, then being really aggressive in the duels.”

It was a big-game performance, similar to his impact against Paris Saint-Germain on that memorable evening in the Parc Des Princes when United beat the French side 3-1 in the last 16 to progress to the quarter-finals.

Solskjaer has continued to show the same faith in McTominay that Mourinho did when the midfielder emerged from the Under-23s. And it was the Norwegian's appointment, initially as caretaker manager in December, that prompted the club's Head of Academy and former cog in the first-team engine room, Nicky Butt to point out the prodigy's opportunity.

Scott recently said, “I remember Butty saying ‘what a chance for you now, lad. What an opportunity to show an absolute club legend what you’ve got.

“‘You’ve got to fancy yourself to show him you can play and be a regular for Manchester United.’”

McTominay is doing just that with his personal contributions this spring. His displays against PSG and Barca reflected the kind of in-your face-efforts that Fletcher was famous for.

Darren’s displays in Category A matches used to make him such a firm favourite with Sir Alex, even when he was surrounded by more stellar options.

Talking about Fletcher, Sir Alex once reflected, “I love the guy; he is a fantastic professional.

“I always liked to play him in big games. He is a big-game player. He was not fazed by a big game or the opponent. In all the big games at United he excelled. If there was one player we needed against Barcelona in Rome [in the 2009 Champions League final] he was that man.

“We really missed him in Rome [when he was suspended]. He would have helped us.”

Sir Alex could have been talking about McTominay on the big stage now.

Fletcher may have gone under the radar for many fans and critics but his manager's words said it all. McTominay, similarly, is going to be an understated name outside of the dressing room probably as United begin the job of reconstructing the squad.

But it is likely he is going to be a name the Reds cannot do without.

The opinions in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]