This season, Scott McTominay has proven to everyone why he is an influential member of the Manchester United squad. On and off the pitch, he has shown the attributes needed to be a leader at the club. That is why it was not a shock when United announced that the Scottish international had signed a contract extension.
The extension will see McTominay remain at the club until 2025, with an option for a further year.
How Influential is Scott McTominay at Manchester United?
Jose Mourinho’s Influence
In 2017, whilst manager of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho named three youngsters who he thought had a big future at the club. These players were Demetri Mitchell, Andreas Pereira and McTominay. Whilst Mitchell has spent the time since then on loan, Pereira and McTominay have pushed into the first team.
Although naming these three players, the self-proclaimed ‘special one’ had a real soft spot for McTominay. Even since leaving United, Mourinho has continued to praise the midfielder, comparing him to the likes of Raphaël Varane and Mario Balotelli.
McTominay would be given his first-team debut by Mourinho in 2017 and earned 13 starts the following season. At the end of that season, he also won Manager’s Player of the Year, awarded to him by Mourinho himself after the Portuguese manager was shocked he hadn’t won Reserves or Young Player of the Year.
He has since gone on to make 75 first-team appearances and there is no doubt that Mourinho’s influence has helped him into the player he has become.
2019/2020 Season
Although he made his debut back in 2017, this season has seen his breakthrough into a regular starter, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying that his determination, tenacity and skill is why he is now a vital part of the midfield.
His increase in game time has been down to injuries in midfield, most notably to Paul Pogba. In each game, we’ve seen McTominay get stronger and was massively missed when he himself spent time out injured.
Finally, his involvement in six goals this season is the most he’s been involved in throughout his time in the squad.
Out With the Old, in With the New
McTominay’s increased role this season is also down to the inconsistencies of ageing midfielder Nemanja Matic. Although he’s had a slight career resurgence in 2020, Matic spent much of 2019 out of the team. In this time, McTominay came into the team and performed consistently well week in week out.
With the Scottish midfielder now on the books until 2025 and with young players like James Garner coming through, the 31-year-old’s Manchester United career could be over once his contract expires next summer.
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