[Robbie Boy]

The step up to first team isn't as big as some make it sound.

It absolutely is.

 

[Robbie Boy]

In the last two pages alone people have claimed he can be a new Carrick, Matic or even Roy Keane for us.

He's done okay but nowhere near enough to warrant that sort of praise.

The OTT praise on here is fully expected and best ignored. He's proving people wrong though, and has played relatively well in two huge games for him in the space of a week.

He still has a long way to go and he may or may not make it here. He has balls though as he was pretty poor first half but really stepped it up second, which is exactly what he done against Seville. Others would have went into hiding in those situations.

 

[Adnan]

It absolutely is.

It is if you're not good enough to begin with.

Playing with better players in a more dominant team helps massively with the step up which many like to ignore...

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

I'm going to chalk that mistake to learning pains, otherwise he won his fair share of tackles, didn't get overwhelmed and did the job. Jose seems to be pleased with him, so why not.

 

[Robbie Boy]

It is if you're not good enough to begin with.

Playing with better players in a more dominant team helps massively with the step up which many like to ignore...

The stage and pressure is completely different. So so many players have dominated for various youth teams and not been near good enough when given a chance in the first team. The step up is colossal.

 

[cyberman]

What I love about his man marking is the fact he doesn't have to shadow Banega / Hazard to the point he's alongside our fullbacks to be fully effective.
Being able to not abandon your position while closing down threats as soon as they get into dangerous positions is a fantatic trait to have.
Its why you can watch our last 2 games and think Scott had a good game but posters can also post stats about key passes or pass completion to question his effectiveness.
He won't disrupt the opposition like Herrera on steroids but he'll force the opposition out wide or to play around him.
He's sort of like Busquets with how he positions himself.

 

[Carl]

Delighted for him, but a partnership of McTominay and Matic is really quite negative.

Feels like if we're going for 3 in midfield it should be Pogba, Matic or McTominay plus one other. It's a shame Herrera will be missing for about 6 weeks.

Can definitely see Jose favouring that trio for the rest of the season in the buffet games though.

 

[Striker10]

I think down the years we've had some great youth that haven't made it for whatever reasons. Scott has the pro for being still relatively unknown - even to many United fans. I watched the reserves and I think one time he played up top? But could be wrong. That ball for lukaku was top drawer. Played to steer away from the defender, that would have been one scholes would have been happy with. I think today we were not expansive enough. If this lad can do these kind of passes then he's got a good chance. Even though opponents will know him more and more, someone that can come in and do a job is VERY useful. He's a good size and am delighted. Next season it could be pereiras time to shine but for right now, we needed a bit more stability in the midfield and we stood firm as did he.

 

[Scholsey2004]

Looks like he's successfully replaced Fellaini in the squad. He's a solid player, new fletcher might be a good comparison.

 

[Adnan]

The stage and pressure is completely different. So so many players have dominated for various youth teams and not been near good enough when given a chance in the first team. The step up is colossal.

If the step up is colossal, then why has McTominay who didn't look anything special in the reserves, more than holding his own against the reigning champions...??

 

[Ishdalar]

The stage and pressure is completely different. So so many players have dominated for various youth teams and not been near good enough when given a chance in the first team. The step up is colossal.

I never get that line of thinking, the pressure is there for a player in his first games at top level, or another who's fighting for launching a career in a job that can set his family well for a couple generations.

If you can cope with the huge expectations any young lad has in the youth system of United or any top club, you probably can cope with the maximum level too, the ones who fail to do that are going to be the ones that already looked on the verge of a panic attack every game at lower levels.

At this level, at least he's playing with profesionals, before that they have the earn the spot against dozens of players (not just the players limited to the PL squad) and dealing with those things that spoiled teenagers on their way to stardom do to other players, like bullying, pressuring other teammates, etc...

 

[Robbie Boy]

If the step up is colossal, then why has McTominay who didn't look anything special in the reserves, more than holding his own against the reigning champions...??

He's looked ok yeah, but he's certainly the exception to the rule.

 

[el3mel]

In the last two pages alone people have claimed he can be a new Carrick, Matic or even Roy Keane for us.

He's done okay but nowhere near enough to warrant that sort of praise.

Keane is OTT, but I have been saying he can be Matic successor for a long time now, not just today,. They look very similar in style, physicality and distribution. Not saying he will surely reach this level but he has all the ingredients to be a proper number 6. Some improvement in his positioning and he'll come good.

 

[Adnan]

He's looked ok yeah, but he's certainly the exception to the rule.

Darren Fletcher was another

 

[Still ill]

Look, he's an enabler at the moment, isn't he? If Pogba ca operate like that with a base of Matic and McTominay, start him every game.

 

[Rajma]

His attitude is great and he's brave something that a fair few of our players are missing.

 

[Dante]

I have a lot of respect for the people who come into this thread and say that they can't see anything special in McTominay. It takes a lot of courage to admit on the internet that you don't have the ability to spot talent.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Decent. Some of the praise is OTT, but he did his job well(besides Willian's goal).

 

[Trophy Room]

After watching the MOTD analysis on him and Matic, I'm even more impressed. He was excellent after his mistake for the goal.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

After watching the MOTD analysis on him and Matic, I'm even more impressed. He was excellent after his mistake for the goal.

Enjoyed them praising his pass in the build-up to Jesse’s goal too. It was tastily weighted little 8 iron tbf.

 

[puNANI]

I thought he was really good. Took his time on the ball and made the right passes more often than not which included the one that started the attack for the second goal and defensively he won a whole heap of duels and marked Hazard out of the game.

The Chelsea goal was a collective brain fart from our team.

 

[He'lmurderyah15]

5.9 rating???????? He was outstanding.. The maturity he showed to handle Hazard was superb.. Looks like he's going to be a huge part of Jose's Man United..

 

[United never give up]

Mctominay is doing great so far, really pleased - but people need to put more respect on Darren fletcher's name.

Darren fletcher made 324 appearances during our most successful era, was in the PFA team of the year 2009/10 ahead of the likes of Gerrard, Scholes, Lampard etc

He became an internal part of a team that reached the CL final, regularly stamped his authority on big, big football matches and was Ferguson's first pick in central midfield

If he hadn't suffered Ulcerative Colitis (a life changing illness) he'd likely have made 500 appearances for us, and would be regarded as being at Carrick's level in the all time pantheon of united players.

Lets not forget what Darren Fletcher's achievements really were, PFA team of the year says it all

 

[PlayerOne]

He was excellent. Didn't start well, thought he was a bit overwhelmed like the rest of the team, but that's understandable. Worked very hard, was tidy on the ball and played a good ball to Lukaku for the second goal too. There are areas he can improve in, but I'm sure that will come with time. All this is very sudden, to come into a team that isn't in a good form going into a tough period of the season is not easy, I feel some fans don't take that into consideration.

The role Mou has given him is very good for him, gives him limited responsibilities and a refined role to do, it's working well so far. Just need him to carry it on for the rest of the season.

 

[pocco]

I'm really enjoying watching him progress in the first team. Only saw him once or twice in the u23s, playing as a striker of I remember right, and he didn't really stand out. But looking at him in his natural position you can see why that happened.

Today he did amazingly well to nullify Hazard. Consider his young age and the task he was given, that's impressive by anyone's standards. You can't say Mourinho doesn't trust youth after that! But he was so much more than just a spoiler for Hazards game, and this is why I said a few weeks ago that he's more mature on the pitch than Pogba. He understands his role and he performs it perfectly.

He makes mistakes here and there, but he is just a kid. It's the simplicity that he brings to midfield that impresses me. He moves the ball around really well and he disorganised Chelsea by missing a player out with his passes and stretching them across the pitch. I love his aggression too, he fights for everything and wins a hell of a lot of niggly stuff, and often comes away with the ball in situations he had no right to do so.

Towards the end of the game you could see his confidence had grown massively and he was spraying that ball around really well. All in all I'm just hoping he can keep this up and continue his progression because he could be a good player for us. Who knows how far he could go.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

I'm really enjoying watching him progress in the first team. Only saw him once or twice in the u23s, playing as a striker of I remember right, and he didn't really stand out. But looking at him in his natural position you can see why that happened.

Today he did amazingly well to nullify Hazard. Consider his young age and the task he was given, that's impressive by anyone's standards. You can't say Mourinho doesn't trust youth after that! But he was so much more than just a spoiler for Hazards game, and this is why I said a few weeks ago that he's more mature on the pitch than Pogba. He understands his role and he performs it perfectly.

He makes mistakes here and there, but he is just a kid. It's the simplicity that he brings to midfield that impresses me. He moves the ball around really well and he disorganised Chelsea by missing a player out with his passes and stretching them across the pitch. I love his aggression too, he fights for everything and wins a hell of a lot of niggly stuff, and often comes away with the ball in situations he had no right to do so.

Towards the end of the game you could see his confidence had grown massively and he was spraying that ball around really well. All in all I'm just hoping he can keep this up and continue his progression because he could be a good player for us. Who knows how far he could go.

Well said. Nothing better than watching youth play a part in big games.

 

[Beachryan]

As someone that follows the ressies, am shocked at his progression this year.

If he keeps going in just 1 more season I don't think there'll be much between him and someone like Dier, who is praised and valued at 40m.

That said, in the greater scheme of things he's not asked to do the hardest job in football. Should United aspire to having a 'better footballer' at that position? Probably. But as a squad option, it's wonderful to see.

4 United youth team players are getting loads of minutes - that's pretty incredible at this stage really.

 

[elmo]

I like how he isn’t overwhelmed with the occasion and his performances seems to step up a notch when the chips are down.

Fantastic second half from him yesterday.

 

[Antonedwin]

But his job was to man mark Hazard. He can't do both.

it was inexperience mistake by him , fair that he must be instructed by mourinho to keep an eye on hazard whole game, but he should check the situation , there were at least 2 of our player close to hazard, he should let him be handled by his team mate and track willian instead since he was the closest one . football must be flexible, you have a task to do but you also have to react differently according to what happens on the pitch
but he is still young and have good mentality , he will learn

 

[vangagal]

I thought that chip pass for Lukaku was from Matic, but it was McTominay. He is improving everyday. Glad fro the lad. Need more of those from him and Matic.

 

[Sylar]

Mistake aside, good game.
I actually think the mistake was due to his role of being Hazard man marker. Not to make an excuse, but he got to around half way line and then shifted his thoughts and movement towards Hazard.
I was thinking, where the F is the defence as there was a huge gap. But yeah, he should have just stayed on course with Willian and cut out the ball.

 

[championo]

Promising for us and gives me something extra to watch out for in regards to his development. I really get excited seeing our academy players getting a chance and showing promise.

 

[Fridge chutney]

I shake my head at the state of this thread.

How can anyone write him off so readily? He has played what, 10 matches for us? He played well against Sevilla, played very well today, and is steadily improving in a notoriously difficult position. What more do fans (consumers) want?

 

[MikeKing]

Impressive display yesterday. He has some physical and mental qualities that every team needs and his maturity when using those qualities reach way beyond his years. Easy to see why José loves him, but the manager also deserves a lot of credit for developing his talent so quickly. Don't think anyone guessed he would be this good at this stage. Probably the reason for all the hyperbole

 

[shamans]

I shake my head at the state of this thread.

How can anyone write him off so readily? He has played what, 10 matches for us? He played well against Sevilla, played very well today, and is steadily improving in a notoriously difficult position. What more do fans (consumers) want?

Don't think he should be written off but he is too early in his career to suggest we have a new Carrick on our hands.

Some of us have just seen the trend too often on here with the likes of Mcnair also getting OTT praise.

 

[Fridge chutney]

but he is too early in his career to suggest we have a new Carrick on our hands

I agree with this. Both sides of the hyperbole spectrum are misguided.

 

[AgentP]

I always thought he was a decent player but today is the first time I was really impressed with his game. He has that calmness and composure which is beyond his years.

 

[Antonedwin]

I shake my head at the state of this thread.

How can anyone write him off so readily? He has played what, 10 matches for us? He played well against Sevilla, played very well today, and is steadily improving in a notoriously difficult position. What more do fans (consumers) want?

he is like fletcher, less technical but more physical compared, less physical but better on the ball than fellaini
he doesn't do fancy stuff ( the reason why some people write him off ) , keep things simple , work hard, and done his job consistently, putting 6-7/10 performance every game
every team needs player like him, he has great future here

 

[Ashley R1+O]

So proud of him. I thought he was superb and showed real intelligence and a depth of maturity in marking Hazard. He could really be the one that links up the 4-3-3 with Matic at the base.

 

[Fridge chutney]

he is like fletcher, less technical but more physical compared, less physical but better on the ball than fellaini
he doesn't do fancy stuff ( the reason why some people write him off ) , keep things simple , work hard, and done his job consistently, putting 6-7/10 performance every game
every team needs player like him, he has great future here

I think that's a fair assessment thus far.

One thing I'd note when judging a player's technique: there's a difference between possessing technique and having the experience/skill to apply that technique during matches. Lingard took years to develop the application. McTominay is still working on his application, but it doesn't mean to say that the technique isn't there. His forward pass to Lukaku for the second goal showed great application of vision and technique. Hopefully he continues to develop in this manner.