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Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 15
Dec 6, 2023 at 8.15pm UK
Old Trafford
Chelsea logo

Man Utd
2 - 1
Chelsea

McTominay (19', 69')
Shaw (14'), Garnacho (22'), Dalot (82'), Reguilon (90+4')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Palmer (45')

Erik ten Hag explains importance of Scott McTominay after summer exit talk

Ten Hag explains importance of McTominay after summer exit talk
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag explains Scott McTominay's importance to the team this season after a summer of exit speculation.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that Scott McTominay is now central to his plans, with the midfielder coming up with his fifth and sixth goals of the season against Chelsea.

The Scotland international netted a brace in Wednesday's 2-1 success over Chelsea to make it six goals in all competitions this term and five in the Premier League.

McTominay was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the summer, with both West Ham United and Fulham believed to have made an attempt to sign him.

The 26-year-old remained with Man United, though, and Ten Hag has said that the team are working to utilise his skills, explaining the midfielder's importance to the team.

"He has the skills and, when he is arriving and he has the skills to arrive there in the right moment. He has the snout. And then he has a very good finish," Ten Hag told reporters after the win over Chelsea.

Manchester United's Scott McTominay celebrates scoring against Brentford on October 7, 2023© Reuters

"But talking about dynamics, sometimes he is deep and sometimes he is lower. But in our tactics, in our planning, our game plan is often that we want him to be high.

"So the team has to to make it happen, that he can come high, that he can come into positions where is around a striker and then he can make a run.

"And as I said, he has a very good smell when to arrive. And then he has also very good finish. And then the team has to make sure that we bring the ball with him.

"We have to get the players in the right positions and that is our job to get him. But it means that other players have to play deeper and, but also bring them in their best skills. And it's all about that, to get individuals in the right positions on the pitch and that you make use from their skills and their attributes."

Manchester United's Scott McTominay in action with Galatasaray's Tanguy Ndombele on November 29, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, McTominay told MUTV after the clash with Chelsea: "It's something I want to keep building, in terms of my game. People tell me that I can do more of it and I can score goals and you just have to believe in yourself.

"My mum and dad have always said just get in the box and try and score goals, and my grandad at home, and sometimes it's just believing in yourself. As long as the team are playing well and I am contributing then I am happy."

McTominay only played seven minutes of football in Man United's first four Premier League matches of the campaign, but he has largely been in the starting side since the middle of September.

The midfielder has also now completed the full 90 minutes in each of his side's last six league fixtures.

Ten Hag also praised Antony for his contribution against Chelsea, with the Brazilian arguably enjoying his most productive game of the season in the 2-1 success.

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