27 March 2023 , 06:30
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Bruno Fernandes wasted little time in joking over the fact his Manchester United colleague Scott McTominay netted a brace for Scotland against Cyprus in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
While Steve Clarke's men ran out 3-0 winners, McTominay's double was made all the more impressive by the fact that he didn't actually start the game. In fact, the United midfielder wasn't introduced to proceedings until the 67th minute but he made his mark and then some with two goals in the space of six minutes.
For added context, McTominay managed to score the same amount of goals in one game for his country as he has done all season so far for his club. At some stages, things seemed to be getting nervy for the Scots at Hampden Park.
John McGinn put the hosts in front in the first half, but the run of play saw Cyprus pushing hard for an equaliser in the latter stages of the contest. It wasn't until McTominay was able to settle the nerves with his second and third goals that the Tartan Army could actually relax.
Following the victory, McTominay uploaded a picture from the game alongside the caption: "Good start." His Old Trafford colleague Fernandes sarcastically quipped: "striker now?" in reference to the 26-year-old's brace.
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McTominay would have been delighted with his contribution, especially considering his game-time and influence at United has been on the decline this term.
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Scott McTominay bagged two goals for ScotlandHe is now below all three of Casemiro, Fred and Christian Eriksen in the Red Devils midfield pecking order.
Under Erik ten Hag, McTominay has managed just 13 starts across all competitions so far this season. However, his brace against Cyprus may make the United boss sit up and take notice, as past comments from the midfielder would suggest.
"He [Ten Hag] likes to fill the box with players," McTominay explained. "He wants players in the box ready to score goals. If you don’t have enough players in the box you never are going to score goals, because a striker can’t beat four players by himself.
"I should score more goals. The manager has actually spoken to me about that and shown me little clips and ways I can be more effective in the game: making assists, scoring goals.
‘If you do certain little details, then you can get yourself in those positions more often’. I know I can do it."
With Casemiro suspended for United's next three league outings after the international break and Eriksen still easing his way back into the fold after a serious injury, McTominay has a real chance to stake his claim in the coming weeks.