20 January 2024 , 08:45
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When Paul Scholes is talking about what it takes to play in midfield for Manchester United, it's worth listening.
It would appear that is exactly what current Red Devils talent Scott McTominay did, after he was on the receiving end of some scathing criticism from Scholes in the aftermath of Erik ten Hag's first game in charge of the club. Back in August 2022, United were on the end of a remarkable 4-0 defeat away at Brentford.
During his post-match analysis, Scholes made clear that the central midfield area was an area of concern for Ten Hag. Back then, the pairing in the middle of the park was made up of McTominay and Fred, now with Fenerbahce. The duo, commonly referred to as ‘McFred’ among fans, was a common sight under both of Ten Hag predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Speaking after the loss at the Gtech Community Stadium, Scholes explained: "McTominay was always trying to run with the ball, ridiculous. The quality in the middle of the pitch was really poor. I was happy he didn’t get sent off [for a high challenge] but I think he was slightly lucky. Again, he’s running with the ball, absolutely ridiculous.
"It could easily have been a red card. The quality in the middle of the pitch was nowhere near good enough but we’ve seen that for the last few years with these two players. With Fred and McTominay, he [Ten Hag] is going to have to go with just one of them but even one of them is probably too many.
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"Fred gives the ball away all the time and McTominay is trying to run with the ball constantly and then gives it away. Pass it to your best players! It’s not that difficult. It’s criminal on a day like today."
It was a brutal piece of analysis, but one that it would appear McTominay has learnt from. Nearly a year-and-a-half on, the Scotland international has established himself as one of Ten Hag's most important players.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Is McTominay the solution to United's midfield long-term? Comment below
Scott McTominay has transformed his Man Utd career (Getty Images)The 27-year-old has bagged the most amount of league goals for United so far this term with five, including a memorable brace against the same opposition that gave him so much trouble during Ten Hag's debut.
Brentford lead the tie for the majority of the game at Old Trafford this season, before McTominay netted two goals in second-half stoppage time to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
His late heroics inspired some glowing praise from Ten Hag, who claimed: "He is Manchester United in everything and in his heart, so he's playing for the badge. He gives his life. And when you're coming on and you give this to the team, it tells a lot."
Few could have predicted McTominay would still be a regular in the side after Scholes' brutal review back in August 2022, but Ten Hag has since explained how the Scot has a future at Old Trafford.
"Yes, of course. That's why he's here," said the Dutchman. "He is one of our our midfield players and yeah, he can make the [difference in the] boxes, you see."