[AltiUn]

How does he compare to the current crop of academy midfielders, and with the admission that he's probably not going to set the world on fire, would the minutes he's getting in rotation be better used on someone else? Don't get me wrong, don't think he's a bad player, but first team minutes are gold dust.

Our best academy midfielders are pretty young but the best are very technically gifted, the one most similar to McTominay in our academy at the moment is probably Hamilton but our best crop probably won't be anywhere near the first team for a few seasons.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

He looked tidy today. Looks strong mentally too. The clatterings he got didn’t affect him in a bad way, which is impressive for a new lad.

Really glad to see him play.

 

[haram]

Could be an interesting player with experience and confidence.

 

[R.N7]

José singing his praises. 1:15.

 

[roseguy64]

Pogba was dropped for not being disciplined enough. Of course McTominay was going to come in and stick to exactly what Mourinho had asked.

What do people expect? He's just seen one of the best players in the squad dropped for not sticking to instructions and people on here expect him to go out and start spraying the ball around and breaking forward.

Exactly. Not sure what people expected.

 

[J_Red 11]

He was sloppy at the start of match for losing the ball but he works his shocks off today, did very in basics defending, dropping back, sensing danger, keep it simple, keep passing it to Valencia. Not a bad performance but I still don't like his performance today because I have seen better from him. He was much better against Bournemouth & Benfica.

 

[Highfather_24]

He style of play is very similar to Matic. Could be his long term replacement.

 

[ash_86]

Loved him in the three. Long may he continue there

 

[Steven7290]

He style of play is very similar to Matic. Could be his long term replacement.

Indeed. I can see him filling in at the #6 position when Matic eventually declines.

 

[Mickfoley]

A solid 2/10.

 

[pacifictheme]

A solid 2/10.

?

 

[GaryLifo]

?

Presumably because his name isn't Tominho or something.

 

[El-Manos]

He has done well considering, he'll only improve. Great to see one of our young lads getting game time and not disappointing.

 

[Highfather_24]

Indeed. I can see him filling in at the #6 position when Matic eventually declines.

Yeah. I dont think he is creative enough to be a #8, his best attributes seem to be his composure, passing and energy. Reminds me a lot of Darren Fletcher too. Mourinho should try him out in the Matic role.

 

[K2K]

No more so than him being a youngster from our youth set up is a reason for his praise. It seems like some are desperate to praise him. If any other player was so limited in a performance, they would be (rightly) criticised. As a previous poster has said, if he put in these kinds of performances at Stoke or West Ham, there wouldn't be a single person on here who would want us to sign him up. He doesn't excel at anything, and at this level, it's a requirement.

How many young players do though?

His detractors refuse to give a young player time. He's hardly had a year in the first team.

 

[Loublaze]

He's having a better season than Herrera.

 

[ivaldo]

How many young players do though?

His detractors refuse to give a young player time. He's hardly had a year in the first team.

They show they have the potential to be a top player. You can see aspects of their game that could take them to the top. Conversely, with McTominay it appears people are hoping he will develop ability as if from nowhere just because hes young.

 

[Tapori]

What pleased me the most is that he has that line splitting pass in him. he used it a few times and may not have come off, but he's spotting it which bodes well.

 

[K2K]

They show they have the potential to be a top player. You can see aspects of their game that could take them to the top. Conversely, with McTominay it appears people are hoping he will develop ability as if from nowhere just because hes young.

People were saying the same about Darren Fletcher.

And McTominay has not been bad at all. His supposedly bad perfomances have been blown into hyperbole. It's just people waiting to find something to criticise. And the caf loves itself a scapegoat( like Fellaini for example). As long as he continues to have the managers trust I'm happy. Game time is the only way to improve.

 

[Ekeke]

Mediocre today, thought he was a bit more promising in his other games

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Fantastically disciplined performance by a young, inexperienced player at this level.

Despite getting battered all game, he continued to get up and give as much as he got. Got stuck in, tracked runners and was always next to Matic. Very rarely saw him ahead of the ball, and because of that, we were able to snuff out potential counters from Huddersfield.

If we're going to play a 4231, then we need players who can play in a double pivot. McTominay showed today, and on other occasions, that he can.

 

[Yagami]

How many young players do though?

His detractors refuse to give a young player time. He's hardly had a year in the first team.

I can only speak for myself but I include his time in the U23s, too. I've never seen anything that makes me think he's worth having around. I see people comparing him to Cleverley - Cleverley had more about him in my opinion. Nevermind Fletcher.

 

[podurban2]

They show they have the potential to be a top player. You can see aspects of their game that could take them to the top. Conversely, with McTominay it appears people are hoping he will develop ability as if from nowhere just because hes young.

Where are the 21 year olds with the ability you are referring to in the PL?

 

[engulfing]

A solid 2/10.

Deserves a ban for either abject stupidity or trolling.

 

[khoazany]

Fantastically disciplined performance by a young, inexperienced player at this level.

Despite getting battered all game, he continued to get up and give as much as he got. Got stuck in, tracked runners and was always next to Matic. Very rarely saw him ahead of the ball, and because of that, we were able to snuff out potential counters from Huddersfield.

If we're going to play a 4231, then we need players who can play in a double pivot. McTominay showed today, and on other occasions, that he can.

Exactly what I think. He did the job. That's all what matters.

 

[Fredo]

Thought he played better against tougher sides but again our overall play today wasn’t that great, would love to see him try more up front, long way to go for him but so far so good...

 

[Steven7290]

I'm not sure if anyone had seen Busquet under La Masia but I hope we will have that situation in our hands.

 

[K2K]

I can only speak for myself but I include his time in the U23s, too. I've never seen anything that makes me think he's worth having around. I see people comparing him to Cleverley - Cleverley had more about him in my opinion. Nevermind Fletcher.

From the first team perfomances I've seen, I'd disagree .

I think he's well composed, does the simple things really well and keeps our midfield ticking. Underrated qualities that I think are important in a midfielder. He's no Xavi. But we don't need him to be.

 

[Stobzilla]

Saw Schweinsteiger praised to high heaven on here for similar performances.

 

[Still ill]

Look, I didn't see the game today, so I'm not in a position to judge. The type of criticism that's thrown at him in here confuses me, though. That idea that if we saw him performing like that for another team, would we want to sign him? It's like the absence of flash is a negative for people. How much Hollywood do we see from Matic or Carrick, the mould of player we want him to aspire to? How many youngsters have impressed us with a bit of flash only to disappear over the horizon? I've no interest in stepovers or 70 yard rakers with the outside of his boot. Positional sense, discipline, heart, maturity, an ability to follow a plan and the courage to take responsibility is what I want from him and the signs so far are good. I would have expected a bit more goodwill for him in here.

 

[hn4manunited]

I thought he did an excellent job today. Perfect partner to Matic. You can just see how much more effective Matic was today. Both McTominay and Matic bossed that midfield today. McTominay showing more composure than Herrera in this role.

 

[engulfing]

I would like him to develop a bit more nastiness. He's a big lad, he should be more menacing and dish out as much damage as he receives.

 

[ivaldo]

Where are the 21 year olds with the ability you are referring to in the PL?

They are in the u23s because they aren't good enough yet. Exactly where young Scott should be. Look at Rashford, heavily criticised and out of form but his potential is clear to see.

People were saying the same about Darren Fletcher.

And McTominay has not been bad at all. His supposedly bad perfomances have been blown into hyperbole. It's just people waiting to find something to criticise. And the caf loves itself a scapegoat( like Fellaini for example). As long as he continues to have the managers trust I'm happy. Game time is the only way to improve.

Im not just waiting to criticise him, why would I do that? I love seeing players come through the youth system, but I'm not going to praise a player for the sake of it. He hasn't performed remotely close to the level required so far, and has shown no signs he's ever going to. He's effectively being praised for a lack a talent. If any other player was as passive as he on the ball they would be jumped on. Its Schneiderlin level passing. As I said, if he was player for any other team in the league no one here would be calling him a special player.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

I can only speak for myself but I include his time in the U23s, too. I've never seen anything that makes me think he's worth having around. I see people comparing him to Cleverley - Cleverley had more about him in my opinion. Nevermind Fletcher.

Like you, I'm still not overly impressed with McTominay yet, but I disagree with Cleverley having more about him. Cleverley was frustrating to watch, constantly hid on the pitch and pointed to other players for the ball to be played to, and when he did get the ball he seemed to duck out of challenges. He didn't seem to really want to be involved when the going got tough. McTominay was getting the living daylights knocked out of him today, and he bounced back up and kept constantly showing for a pass in tight areas, kept it simple and moved the ball well. I don't know what it is that he offers overall, but I definitely like him more than Cleverley.

 

[shield]

Has not done anything really spectacular, but was surprisingly disciplined and kept things tidy. Just what we needed, because we already have Matic, Mata and Sanchez to do the creative work. After seeing a host of young players come in here, think that they have made it big and then proceed to fail and be sold (Januzaj, Depay, Cleverly), I think he does have the right attitude to progress.

Also, I disagree that he has not done anything. His positioning was spot on and he gave Matic the confidence to move ahead. He also showed a lot of composure in front of the defenders, intercepting opportunities for counters. With Pogba, Matic has to spend most of the time making up for his Pogba's improper positioning, and can't contribute much in an attacking sense. McTominay kept doing the basic things which sometimes is exactly what is required.

 

[Yagami]

From the first team perfomances I've seen, I'd disagree .

I think he's well composed, does the simple things really well and keeps our midfield ticking. Underrated qualities that I think are important in a midfielder. He's no Xavi. But we don't need him to be.

I'll give him credit for not letting José down in his showings, but I don't see them as promising displays like most.

No, we don't need him to be Xavi, but that doesn't mean we should settle just because he came through the ranks either.

Like you, I'm still not overly impressed with McTominay yet, but I disagree with Cleverley having more about him. Cleverley was frustrating to watch, constantly hid on the pitch and pointed to other players for the ball to be played to, and when he did get the ball he seemed to duck out of challenges. He didn't seem to really want to be involved when the going got tough. McTominay was getting the living daylights knocked out of him today, and he bounced back up and kept constantly showing for a pass in tight areas, kept it simple and moved the ball well. I don't know what it is that he offers overall, but I definitely like him more than Cleverley.

Cleverley was frustrating but I got why he was given a chance here and I'm not surprised to see him still playing regularly in the PL. McTominay, I just don't get. Maybe, with growing as fast as he did, he's still getting used to his physique and in time will look more comfortable so I don't want to completely write him off, but, as of right now, I'm still yet to be impressed by him like so many here. U23s included.

 

[podurban2]

They are in the u23s because they aren't good enough yet. Exactly where young Scott should be. Look at Rashford, heavily criticised and out of form but his potential is clear to see.

Well he obviously should be with the first team considering the situation we are in. He’s far better than Herrera in a two man midfield already.

I’m just curious to where these other 20-22 year old CMs are in the Premier League that are better than Scott.

 

[Dante]

I'm not sure if anyone had seen Busquet under La Masia but I hope we will have that situation in our hands.

That's who I compared him to earlier in the thread.

 

[ivaldo]

Well he obviously should be with the first team considering the situation we have. He’s far better than Herrera in a two man midfield already.

I’m just curious to where these other 20-22 year old CMs are in the Premier League that are better than Scott.

He's not, expectations for McTominay are incredibly low. If Herrera put in today's performance, posters would bemoan his passiveness.

As I said, in the reserves, where Scott belongs. That's the point.

 

[Cassidy]

Well he obviously should be with the first team considering the situation we are in. He’s far better than Herrera in a two man midfield already.

I’m just curious to where these other 20-22 year old CMs are in the Premier League that are better than Scott.

Lewis Cook