Manchester United have an impossible decision to make on Scotland regular Scott McTominay this summer and Paul Scholes summed it up perfectly with his U-turn on the midfielder last season. With the transfer market in full swing, United have completed two deals – their first such agreements under Ineos ownership.
Joshua Zirkzee kicked-off the latest rebuild and the ex-Bologna forward was followed through the door by Leny Yoro on Thursday night. United are open to bringing in up to three new centre-backs this summer and – as things stand – their measures to strengthen have come at either end of the pitch.
However, there are also one or two lingering question marks when it comes to the makeup of their engine room, not least amid interest in McTominay which has, to this point, been rebuffed. Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are two certain starters – but who will join them in the main starting lineup?
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Casemiro was off-the-pace last season and it remains to be seen whether or not that was just a blip or the Brazil international is, regrettably, on the wane. Another defensive midfielder is wanted, but FFP caution and their need to add one or two players elsewhere might put paid to that.
Mason Greenwood has been sold and United do want to sanction further outgoings – which are fundamental to their own recruitment drive – but while most players fit neatly into the ‘keep’ or ‘sell’ bracket the McTominay case represents a proper conundrum from Ten Hag and Ineos to solve.
So often criticised for his output alongside Fred in a double pivot, the 27-year-old has often looked more at home when given licence to roam. McTominay has scored important goals for United when deployed further up the side, not least to gun down Brentford almost a year ago.
It was around that time Scholes – previously an open critic himself – decided to backtrack. The former England player had previously been a staunch critic of McTominay’s during his time playing predominantly alongside Fred, saying in November 2020 following the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal: “It’s as poor as I’ve seen Manchester United at Old Trafford to be honest with you. You have to give Arsenal credit, they were very good but on other hand you have to expect more from United and the two midfield players especially.
“I said at half time if you’re going to get your best, most creative players who can score goals on the ball then the two in midfield have to have some kind of possession and some kind of control but the quality was missing from them two. They were playing as centre halves, not central midfield players.”
He followed that up just over a month later with more comments about the Scotland international, criticising his role in a Leicester goal during a 2-2 draw. Asked if he felt McTominay should have done more to stop one of Leicester’s goals, Scholes said on BT Sport: “Yeah, I do yeah. I think Scott McTominay is taking social distancing a bit too literally.
“He’s really got to stop the shot. We know the ability Harvey Barnes has got, he’s shown that.”
But Scholes showed signs last season that he’s finally been convinced by McTominay. Speaking on the popular Webby and O’Neill YouTube channel, ex-United hero Scholes said: “He’s a really talented player, he’s a really good player. He got on with his job [despite transfer rumours]. I hate to see homegrown talent leaving the club, to be honest with you, but sometimes it has to happen.”
McTominay only has 12 months to run on his contract – although there is an option to extend that deal – while the club are thought to see him as an important squad member with high value. That has not always been the case as, at various junctures, it looked as though he might be deemed surplus to requirements.
Interest in him this summer is not quite so welcome, though, and any (potential) decision to sell McTominay must only be sanctioned if the fee is sufficient and a legitimate upgrade can be found. Otherwise, allowing academy graduate McTominay leave might not be a price worth paying.
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