Have we seen any real evidence that McTominay is good at any of the following aspects a striker needs.
a. Hold-up play
b. Timing and movement in the box
c. Finishing in one-on-one situations
d. Running in the channels
e. Taking on a man with dribbling ability
This seems to be purely based on height and the fact that he has hit a handful of good shots over the last three years. It's a dreadful, dreadful idea. One of the worst I have ever seen on this forum, and arguably much worse than the classic Lindelöf as DM.
Well done for trying to break it down in a more meaningful way.
Hold up play is literally the basics of being a midfielder. Its the position you have to be the most effective at doing so given you can be tackled from every angle and often multiple players.
He has shown timing and movement at the edge of the box and as a CB for Scotland. He also used to be a striker in the youth team. I'm sure he could nail this.
One on one finishing hasn't exactly been working out for us lately. Creating proper chances for someone to finish it is a far better objective than hoping a striker can work individual magic.
Running on the channels is all part of the dynamic of being a midfielder. I'm sure he could do this as a striker and the type of striker I'm thinking isn't chicharito!
The dribbling ability is similar to the one on one aspect. It's great if you have a striker that can do it all, but we have wide forwards who do that. As a central striker your main job if the team is well organised is to finish opportunities, so at most a small shuffle and hit, but mostly first time strikes.
Again I'll clarify. Do I think McTominay will become a top 20 striker... No. Will he be a top 2 strikers for us... Unlikely
Can he do a job as a third or fourth striker, quite possibly.
First.. Ronaldo or we have to get another
Second.. Martial if he can maintain form
Third... I would have hoped one of Hugill, McNeil, Garnacho, Elanga or Shoretire, but the first two are probably not physically there yet, the latter three are arguably more wingers and don't babe the physicality.
So who then should be our third / fourth options? Rashford is a horrible striker. Bruno hasn't shown the physicality to handle that and be is essential to creating opportunities.
Should Man Utd have to ask these questions or indeed about CBs in DMs, feck no, but do we have a Board showing they are willing to address all our obvious gaps... feck no.
So there is a needs must aspect and also a question as to what is genuinely the best position for the players we have. I'm absolutely certain beyond doubt that McTominay is a truly awful DM so I'd happily try anything that has him not being played there.