SCOTT McTOMINAY LACKS the ball-playing ability to be a Manchester United midfielder, says Gary Neville, with the 21-year-old better suited to a centre-back post.
The Old Trafford academy graduate has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2017-18, with Jose Mourinho having drafted him into the senior fold for 21 appearances. McTominay has also earned international recognition, with England snubbed in favour of representing Scotland.
The youngster is, however, still learning his craft and may be forced into a positional switch before fully establishing himself for club and country.
Neville believes that will see McTominay shunted backwards, with United requiring greater creativity in an engine room which already includes the likes of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
The former Red Devils defender told Sky Sports on an area of the field which has proved problematic for Mourinho at times: “Pogba has fallen short in terms of quality [this season] — far too inconsistent.
“McTominay, when I watch him, I’m not sure he’s actually good enough on the ball to be a Man United midfield player. I do think he’s the type that it’s good for him to play games in there — but I do wonder whether if actually he’s got more of a position at centre back eventually, the physicality that he has.
“He’s a big lad. Is he sharp enough on the ball to be a Man United central midfield player?”
McTominay made his debut towards the end of the 2016-17 season, with a first Premier League outing taken in against Arsenal.
The current campaign has seen him make his bow in the Champions League, while also committing his long-term future to United by penning a new deal through to 2021.
I like GAA too! If only I cold find a way to wriggle out of my PAYE obligations, I could then throw out a bit of the cash I’d save to my pet sport and everyone would say I’m a great fella.
@Hibernicus: There’s always one who has nothing good to say.
@Richard Ford: You misunderstood, I am inspired & keen to emulate the great man!
@Hibernicus: the man owns and runs a Swiss based company where he is clearly doing pretty well. This is also where he pays tax. I appreciate that might be a difficult concept to wrap your head around when you’ve likely spent your life in the one village.
@Hibernicus: . Well then please do your very best to do so. All donations gratefully accepted Hibernicus.
@Hibernicus: typical
@Paul Odeier: succinct!
@Hibernicus:you come across as a great fella.revenue are crying out for great fellas
As I said to Shane below, we are a tax haven. Tax avoidance is the way of the world. We gratefully accept multiple billions from corporations who base their headquarters here to avoid tax. We can’t have it both ways. People be careful not to fall off their high horses.
Fantastic balanced journalism from the headline down, exactly why I decided to pay for a subscription.
I look forward to the day when I can stop paying tax like all the smart people and donate an iPad to the club raffle for a gushing write-up in the local paper.
@Shane Griffin: When are you expecting to become one of the smart people?
@Shane Griffin: how do you feel about the fact that Ireland is a tax haven? Do you think we should send back the multiple billions we receive from tax dodging corporations every year???