[Tom Van Persie]

Definition of average. I don't want midfielders who play sideways, run around a bit and put in a couple of tackles. We are in trouble if Jose rates this guy. I want midfielders who can beat a man, dribble, get in the box at times and be a goal threat at the very least. Average is not good enough. Keeping it safe is not enough. I saw people praising him for making a turn. Talk about how standards have fallen...

Not every midfielder can be like that. When did Michael Carrick ever sprint into the box or go on Messi esque dribbles? It's just not McTominay's game. Scott played well tonight I'm not sure where all this criticism is coming from well actually that's a lie I know where it's coming from. It's typical modern day football where young players who come through the academy are hardly given a chance to learn and improve.

 

[Canagel]

Everything in this post is spot on.

He is Cleverley MKII. Will be surprised if he doesn't end up at West Ham/Everton/Burnley etc at some point in the future.

 

[ivaldo]

Not every midfielder can be like that. When did Michael Carrick ever sprint into the box or go on Messi esque dribbles? It's just not McTominay's game. Scott played well tonight I'm not sure where all this criticism is coming from well actually that's a lie I know where it's coming from. It's typical modern day football where young players who come through the academy are hardly given a chance to learn and improve.

But Carrick had brilliant awareness and a superb pass on him. McTominay does not. What is his game, exactly?

 

[Canagel]

Not every midfielder can be like that. When did Michael Carrick ever sprint into the box or go on Messi esque dribbles? It's just not McTominay's game. Scott played well tonight I'm not sure where all this criticism is coming from well actually that's a lie I know where it's coming from. It's typical modern day football where young players who come through the academy are hardly given a chance to learn and improve.

OK what is his game then? I haven't seen anything he's particular good at to say he can be a regular player for Manchester United. Today he was supposed to be higher up the pitch because we sacrificed attacking player. There were plenty of defenders behind to cover for him but all I saw was one shot he could've done better with and that's it. No runs into the box. No real passing ability. Nothing else really but he somehow had a good game... OK then.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Everything in this post is spot on.

Is it? Our midfield of 99 had 3 starting players in Scholes, Keane and Beckham who could not beat a man with dribbling and only Scholes was a consistent goal threat from open play. Yet They were still fecking amazing regardless...

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

But Carrick had brilliant awareness and a superb pass on him. McTominay does not. What is his game, exactly?

Excellent positioning and game reading for starters. The better passing decisions will come with experience

 

[Bojan11]

Excellent positioning and game reading for starters. The better passing decisions will come with experience

Difference is all four looked forward.

McTominay first intention is to look to Valencia.

 

[ivaldo]

Excellent positioning and game reading for starters. The better passing decisions will come with experience

He hasn't got excellent positioning. If he did you would see him winning the ball back more often. You don't just develop passing out of nowhere. Over time you can expect youngsters to develop their talent, not develop a talent.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

He hasn't got excellent positioning. If he did you would see him winning the ball back more often. You don't just develop passing out of nowhere. Over time you can expect youngsters to develop their talent, not develop a talent.

He wont be developing it out of no where. He hardly ever gives away the ball. With experience its fairly he would become more ambitious as to how and where he passes it.

As for winning the ball back. He makes more interceptions than most of our midfielders when he plays

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...eptions/aerial_duels_won/blocks/clearances#90

 

[Tom Van Persie]

OK what is his game then? I haven't seen anything he's particular good at to say he can be a regular player for Manchester United. Today he was supposed to be higher up the pitch because we sacrificed attacking player. There were plenty of defenders behind to cover for him but all I saw was one shot he could've done better with and that's it. No runs into the box. No real passing ability. Nothing else really but he somehow had a good game... OK then.

I think he's a defensive midfielder who's good at tackling, decent passing ability and has shown a lot of maturity/composure whenever he's been thrown into the deep end . It's clear you've made up your mind about him though and that's fine. All I'm saying is there's a reason why Jose trusted him so much in the big games and why Carrick is so excited about him. He's going to be a very good player for us, not a player who's going to grab the headlines but a player the fans will eventually appreciate.

 

[Sylar]

One negative I would point out is he underhits a pass too often in terms of a 1-2. He did it at least three times in the second half which is a shame.

Otherwise he did ok. Nothing special, but nothing bad either.

 

[VeevaVee]

Scott could be very useful, but I want a proper cm for once, not another dm who can't affect anything in the final third.

 

[devilish]

He’d be like McMare as a CB. Too slow, flat footed and not aggressive enough.

Am I right @devilish?

very few players can be as shit as Mcfail (not Mcmare, Mcfail). I mean he made OShea look like Baresi in his prime

There again Mctominay can become a good midfielder. Not everyone is technically gifted with the ball. Maybe Butt, Fletcher and his own brother Phil can have a word with him on him or send him an email on his Ipad or something

 

[Adam-Utd]

Had a pretty decent first half, bit quiet in the 2nd.

He’s certainly a tidy player and he works really hard, he’s going to be a good player in the future. Would rather play him in CM than fellaini anyday.

 

[Jig1234]

Reminds me of Tom Cleverley. Tidy, keeps it simple but plays no zero risk.

Gary Neville: “Not sure McTominay is good enough on the ball to be a #MUFC central midfield player.”

Early days but I think his progress has been largely exaggerated.

 

[Amadaeus]

Why?

Just go look at the Paddy McNair thread when he first started.

He is a good combative midfielder who keeps it simple and give the other creative players more freedom to push forward and effect our attacking play. As someone else mentioned, his interception is the best in the team, so he is doing what he is expected to do.

I believe we need a deep lying play maker in the cdm role to see how much he can really contribute to our team. Matic(cdm) and McTominay and Herrera(cdm) do not really complement each other unless the cdm improves their forward passes and vision.

 

[ivaldo]

He wont be developing it out of no where. He hardly ever gives away the ball. With experience its fairly he would become more ambitious as to how and where he passes it.

As for winning the ball back. He makes more interceptions than most of our midfielders when he plays

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...eptions/aerial_duels_won/blocks/clearances#90

When has he ever been anything other than a competent passer? Correct me if I'm wrong but he was never particularly good on the ball in the youth ranks, playing against inferior players with little pressure. He isnt going to give the ball away often when he has absolutely zero ambition with his passing. If you add key passing to your matrix he comes out at 0.2, significantly less than the others.

They aren't impressive defensive stats for a player who doesn't have anything else to offer the team.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Excellent positioning and game reading. When has he shown that? He has numerous of times completely failed to track runners or be aware of his surroundings when picking up space. In some games he has looked absolutely clueless as to how to pick up space to open himself for a pass.

Someone not being much good doesn't make him like Carrick because you don't understand what Carrick does.

I'm glad Mourinho has been willing to play an academy player. Hopefully next season he starts to use the younger lads coming through with actual talent and ability.

 

[meamth]

He hasn't got excellent positioning. If he did you would see him winning the ball back more often. You don't just develop passing out of nowhere. Over time you can expect youngsters to develop their talent, not develop a talent.

Thank you. Finally someone understands what a young player is.

The growth process of youngster into a first team regular - they need time and confidence for them to emphasize their quality.

 

[VanHaal'sRedArmy]

Needs more time to marinate; shouldn't be loaned out, but definitely a substitute player.

 

[bosnian_red]

If he went out on loan he'd go to some mid table championship team and wouldnt stand out. Potential wise... probably mid table premier league at the very best, and that's being kind. Nothing wrong with that, but blatantly the only reason he specifically is getting games for Mourinho is because of his size.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

......
They aren't impressive defensive stats for a player who doesn't have anything else to offer the team.

I posted a link to a comparison matrix that shows he intercept the ball per 90 minutes almost 2 times more than Matic manages. Without being any where near as experienced. If you find that nothing of value than its clear there is nothing that will ever make you rate the player.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

OK what is his game then? I haven't seen anything he's particular good at to say he can be a regular player for Manchester United. Today he was supposed to be higher up the pitch because we sacrificed attacking player......

Oh please. His job was to sit back and protect the 3 center backs. It was a Herrera and Pogba's job to offer proper and consistent support to the attacking two upfront and to offer the ambitious passing in the midfield. This is Darren Fletcher breaking through all over again. This kid is going to be blamed for every ill that ever occurs in our midfield when he gets to play

 

[Lawman]

Is it? Our midfield of 99 had 3 starting players in Scholes, Keane and Beckham who could not beat a man with dribbling and only Scholes was a consistent goal threat from open play. Yet They were still fecking amazing regardless...

As they had runners of the ball today we have Young and Valencia who rightly (stage in career) conserve energy so we miss out on a lot of movement from this and then our wide players Mata looks for ball at feet before cutting back as he’s no pace and Martial who receives the ball to feet with a standing start 9/10 times. No wonder our midfielders can struggle with this set up but Jose will know this and has started taking steps to sort this with the addition of Sanchez and now for hopefully new full backs and a right attacker.

 

[Ekeke]

Oh please. His job was to sit back and protect the 3 center backs. It was a Herrera and Pogba's job to offer proper and consistent support to the attacking two upfront and to offer the ambitious passing in the midfield. This is Darren Fletcher breaking through all over again. This kid is going to be blamed for every ill that ever occurs in our midfield when he gets to play

Ander was the deepest, tracking back to his own box. He was the DM. McTominay was further forward always in midfield trying to win the ball higher up the pitch

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

This

As they had runners of the ball today we have Young and Valencia who rightly (stage in career) conserve energy so we miss out on a lot of movement from this and then our wide players Mata looks for ball at feet before cutting back as he’s no pace and Martial who receives the ball to feet with a standing start 9/10 times. No wonder our midfielders can struggle with this set up but Jose will know this and has started taking steps to sort this with the addition of Sanchez and now for hopefully new full backs and a right attacker.

I agree. In that team we had natural width from fullbacks with ace crossing ability, wingers who ran their socks off and two strikers who were excellent at off the ball movement. Right now we have no natural width from our fullbacks, and players who play in wide areas who always want to cut in, drop deep to take on people or the ball to feet. Yet we don't have dribblers or through balls experts in midfield. We instead have players who like to pass it wide to arrive late into the box. A box receiving zero quality from wide areas and clogged up from wide attackers cut in and waiting around fro balls to feet, or also arriving late from dropping deep. I still marvel that Lukaku scores with the scarcity of clear cut service he always gets


till we sort out the severe lack of natural width problem and a midfielder or 2 capable of through passing like Carrick we will not get better

 

[ivaldo]

I posted a link to a comparison matrix that shows he intercept the ball per 90 minutes almost 2 times more than Matic manages. Without being any where near as experienced. If you find that nothing of value than its clear there is nothing that will ever make you rate the player.

And also nearly half as many tackles, significantly less blocks, clearances and successful aerial duels, all the while playing in a position further forward than Matic that traditionally cultivates more defense contributions. Even Pogba makes more tackles than McTominay. A fairer comparison positionally wise would be Herrera. Interceptions are about the same, while he completes just over a third as many challenges. Add key passes, and other passing stats and it paints a picture in where a huge percentage of his passes are short and square.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

And also nearly half as many tackles, significantly less blocks, clearances and successful aerial duels, all the while playing in a position further forward than Matic that traditionally cultivates more defense contributions. Even Pogba makes more tackles than McTominay. A fairer comparison positionally wise would be Herrera. Interceptions are about the same, while he completes just over a third as many challenges. Add key passes, and other passing stats and it paints a picture in where a huge percentage of his passes are short and square.

That's ok. I still don't see why anyone would expect more ambitious passing from him currently. Mourinho has admitted more than once he literally gives the lad a henchman job. Win the ball and give it to others or man mark an opponent in midfield and for me he does it to a tee. But some one like a Herrara should never have such an excuse. He can and should pass the ball more ambitiously consistently. But a lot this season he has passed way with in his abilities and yesterday was another clear example.

 

[Lawman]

This
I agree. In that team we had natural width from fullbacks with ace crossing ability, wingers who ran their socks off and two strikers who were excellent at off the ball movement. Right now we have no natural width from our fullbacks, and players who play in wide areas who always want to cut in, drop deep to take on people or the ball to feet. Yet we don't have dribblers or through balls experts in midfield. We instead have players who like to pass it wide to arrive late into the box. A box receiving zero quality from wide areas and clogged up from wide attackers cut in and waiting around fro balls to feet, or also arriving late from dropping deep. I still marvel that Lukaku scores with the scarcity of clear cut service he always gets


till we sort out the severe lack of natural width problem we will not get better

Yeah 100% spot on, it makes me weep to see Mata’s assist and goal stats and for that reason Lingards stats were similar last season when we used to have Becks (an allegedly limited winger) often come close to matching these guys season stats in just one game. That really concerns me and as a consequence I struggle to watch us at right wing without feeling that’s our move over, it’s a dreadful feeling to have watching the game. Especially since we let Nani Adnan and Zaha go and now watch this rubbish of square pegging in round holes. I don’t blame Jose as he has a healthy but limited budget and so far this squad had to many holes to plug mostly caused by LVG transfers in and out.

 

[ivaldo]

That's ok. I still don't see why anyone would expect more ambitious passing from him currently. Mourinho has admitted more than once he literally gives the lad a henchman job. Win the ball and give it to others or man mark an opponent in midfield and for me he does it to a tee. But some one like a Herrara should never have such an excuse. He can and should pass the ball more ambitiously consistently. But a lot this season he has passed way with in his abilities and yesterday was another clear example.

He hasn't been given orders not to try anything with his passing when the chance arises. Yesterday was the perfect opportunity for him to express himself. He had 3 CBs and a DM behind him but failed to show aanything. He didn't even attempt to pick the ball up ahead of play. Ander still regularly provides us with smart passing and throughballs to the striker, while his defensive contribution overall is still comfortably higher.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Yeah 100% spot on, it makes me weep to see Mata’s assist and goal stats and for that reason Lingards stats were similar last season when we used to have Becks (an allegedly limited winger) often come close to matching these guys season stats in just one game. That really concerns me and as a consequence I struggle to watch us at right wing without feeling that’s our move over, it’s a dreadful feeling to have watching the game. Especially since we let Nani Adnan and Zaha go and now watch this rubbish of square pegging in round holes. I don’t blame Jose as he has a healthy but limited budget and so far this squad had to many holes to plug mostly caused by LVG transfers in and out.

I tell you. Our right wing currently is a grave yard for attacking moves. Any decently organized team that simply blocks off the left channel will not lose to us unless we score from a set piece or a wonder goal.

 

[Lawman]

I tell you. Our right wing currently is a grave yard for attacking moves. Any decently organized team that simply blocks off the left channel will not lose to us unless we score from a set piece or a wonder goal.

Yep agree the whole section I sit (only used my season ticket once this season to be fair) but even last season used to audibly groan when the ball went out right side. I thought Sanchez was being bought to at least accommodate that position till we got some one in this summer but obviously not. But I like the Sanchez signing as although we have Martial and Rashford this guy is up about 3 notches right now and will be for 2 or 3 seasons at least imo so I when that quality becomes available at that price then you have to snatch it even though we were well stocked this guy is simply better and improved us (watch how some opinions will change on him next season).

 

[Trizy]

He is Cleverley MKII. Will be surprised if he doesn't end up at West Ham/Everton/Burnley etc at some point in the future.

Same with Lingard and Rashford. Unpopular opinion but I have eyes. Neither of them do enough or have enough potential to be at a top club.

Rashford an attacking winger and striker who is average at both. But he's local, right? We need to let go of this ''youth club'' status. We haven't had a good first team product since Fletcher. One could argue Pogba but he cost us 80m. Hopefully with our current crop we could have a few but time will tell. Until then, we need to allow players (bought or youth) to leave who are not good enough.

 

[RedMachine03]

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Yep agree the whole section I sit (only used my season ticket once this season to be fair) but even last season used to audibly groan when the ball went out right side. I thought Sanchez was being bought to at least accommodate that position till we got some one in this summer but obviously not. But I like the Sanchez signing as although we have Martial and Rashford this guy is up about 3 notches right now and will be for 2 or 3 seasons at least imo so I when that quality becomes available at that price then you have to snatch it even though we were well stocked this guy is simply better and improved us (watch how some opinions will change on him next season).

Alexis I agree was an awesome get. He has been slow out the blocks due to fatigue from playing too much football. But this summer he will rest and recharge. Im just disappointed we didn't employ him down the right instead. Or place him in the hole behind Lukaku, keeping Lingard right and Martial left. That would have kept the attacking chemistry we had already developed before he arrived.

 

[Vault Dweller]

I think he's a good player, I just think it's unnecessary to play him in a midfield three with Pogba and Herrera against teams like West Ham. We really should only be employing 2 players to play through the middle, three is overkill especially when it is Herrera and Scott with Pogba.

I think he will become a really good player for us, I'd rather see us use him in a different formation against teams we really be should be beating, instead of in a three where there is always going to be at least one other player in the formation doing the same thing as him.

Think he will end up as a DM for us or even part of a back three as Neville suggested.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Definition of average. I don't want midfielders who play sideways, run around a bit and put in a couple of tackles. We are in trouble if Jose rates this guy. I want midfielders who can beat a man, dribble, get in the box at times and be a goal threat at the very least. Average is not good enough. Keeping it safe is not enough. I saw people praising him for making a turn. Talk about how standards have fallen...

Does the fact Sir Alex rates McTominay quite highly change your opinion any?

Jose also came out and said the kid is quite good beyond the roles he has played in. We just haven't seen it yet. Last night was closer, saw him pushing up quite a bit. The shot he flashed wide hints at those striker instincts from his past. The team as a whole was kind of meh. Once we get moving you'll see much more impressive stuff from him. Right now the excessive praise also counters the frustration seeing Pogba try to do too much.

 

[Garethw]

The lad isn’t ready yet. He’ll become a good premier league level player though. He just needs time and patience.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Oh please. His job was to sit back and protect the 3 center backs. It was a Herrera and Pogba's job to offer proper and consistent support to the attacking two upfront and to offer the ambitious passing in the midfield.

Why should anyone take your opinion seriously when you seemingly didn't even watch the game to see what position they were playing in?

 

[Andycoleno9]

For every academy player who gets a chance there is so much hype. And people are clutching at straws. I said it first time when i saw him and i will repeat it now. He is another tom cleverley. I don't see anything in him which can prove me that he will/can be our first team midfielder.
Lots of you talk about his positioning and hard working. Is that become enough for united midfielder? Time when clubs played with classic destroyer is over. Midfielder must be complete player. If his position will be box to box or anchor man( he surely can't be playmaker) do you see anything in which he can be class player? His shooting? Passing? Extra good tackling? Dictating tempo? I don't. I see player with huge passion, who runs a lot and is fearless. If that is standard even for united backup midfielder then we are fecked.