[amolbhatia50k]

Wasn't good. Chelsea completely dominated us in midfield.

He's a good squad option though given his physciality, strong mentality and decision making.

 

[IRELANDUNITED]

He's gonna do great for us

 

[NinjaZombie]

Needs to do better.

 

[#07]

 

[Deleted 112447]

He started shaky like most of the team but grew in to the game. Should play every week and i'm sure he'll have many more good games then bad.

This is one player that has won me over in the last year or so. Great attitude to.

 

[SoCross]

Thought he was good in the 2nd half. Glad Ole is keeping faith in him; he’s the future, not Matic.

But he certainly can learn a few things from the Serb, mainly positioning.

 

[TwoSheds]

Occasional good play shouldn't hide the fact that those two, as supposedly helping the midfield, were missing for large chunk of the game. For instance, Lingard only had 26 passes during 85 min. on the field, with Pereira was even worse (15 passes in 73 min.). That is unacceptable number for midfielders. Their numbers are comparable to Rashford and Martial, both forwards, combined (21+28 passes).

In contrast, Scott had 46 passes, with Pogba 62. Both were also did the pressing, and in Pogba case, the creative force and bringing the ball forward also.

They were playing as forwards though. What am I missing?

 

[Lentwood]

I am a big fan of McTominay but thought he was left a little exposed at times in midfield with Pogba.

I do think its going to be a big challenge for Ole to find an effective way of getting the best out of whoever plays at the base of the midfield because yesterday the gaps where far too big at times

 

[Carl S Bridge]

I don't understand how you believe he will be another Carrick? He's got a quite completely different repertoire of skills. He's more like Fletcher in my opinion

I really dont understand where these opinions come from... not a world beater? He is 22 and developing into a fantastic young player. He can break up play and is starting to show he can control it too. If he keeps developing at the same pace we have another Carrick on our hands (though with more tenacity). So the whole "not a world beater but grafts" thing is just fecking bizaare.

 

[NoLogo]

I am a big fan of McTominay but thought he was left a little exposed at times in midfield with Pogba.

I do think its going to be a big challenge for Ole to find an effective way of getting the best out of whoever plays at the base of the midfield because yesterday the gaps where far too big at times

Honestly I think McTom is better when playing in a more attacking role, box to box so to speak, as a DM I think he lacks a bit of sense for being in the right position and anticipating opponent moves faster. Carrick needs to tutor the lad, maybe he can teach him a bit about that.

 

[Member 105568]

Pogba had great moments yesterday but playing next to him must be really difficult. I think there needs to be someone more physical than Pereira in there to balance things out. Was Fred dropped yesterday?

 

[Ace of Spades]

They were playing as forwards though. What am I missing?

Nothing, you don't want your attacking players to drop too deep, and both McTominay and Pogba turned over possession a bit too much, and that is an area to improve. Pogba has a tendency to do that at times, but that was very uncharacteristic of McTominay.

Also important to remember that Chelsea have one of the best midfield in the league, both in quantity and quality in depth.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Pogba had great moments yesterday but playing next to him must be really difficult. I think there needs to be someone more physical than Pereira in there to balance things out. Was Fred dropped yesterday?

Fred did not have a full pre-season, joined late so is behind these guys in terms of being ready.

 

[Krits]

Wasn’t very good first half. But second half was decent. I still have faith in him. The entire team were like a deer in headlights at the start. I have to put that down to the coaching staff, though I guess they might not have been sure exactly what tactics Lampard would use?

Pogba-Mctominay is the way to go for now. If Fred can live up to his potential, move Pogba forward.

 

[Bestietom]

Prone to a few mistakes , but improving the more games he gets. Still some gaping holes in midfield and need a deep lying playmaker. We will get caught out here with better teams.

 

[Sarni]

I've said this before but I think his ceiling is much lower than some of here expect. He will never be a world class midfielder, that's just not his level of potential, which doesn't mean he's useless either. He shouldn't be relied on as a permanent starter in our team but is good enough to be called upon every now and again, and start 25+ games a season without huge drop in quality from whoever we sign to play ahead of him. We should have addressed this issue in the transfer window but we didn't, so we are probably now stuck with McTominay as a starter until the end of season. I'm not overly concerned about that, but I am also pretty sure he will be scrutinized by our fans and media due to his inconsistent performances.

 

[Scholsey2004]

Looks very much like an Eric Dier type player. Great screen for the defence but probably won't contribute a great deal to possession. If he could improve in that area he'd be really top drawer. Either way he's rapidly becoming a fixture in the side which is great to see.

 

[Icemav]

I don't understand how you believe he will be another Carrick? He's got a quite completely different repertoire of skills. He's more like Fletcher in my opinion

Because I see him developing his distrubution and starting to change the tempo of play. If he keeps improving this facet as he is displaying clearly, and also his defensive reading of the game then I feel we will have very mature well rounded midfielder in 2-3 seasons more in the Carrick mould. At 22 he has a high ceiling.

Actually I dont see anything style wise in his game that reminds me of Fletcher. I actually think he will prove to be a much more complete football.

 

[SambaBoy]

His touch and ability to retain possession in tight spaces was poor yesterday.

 

[Mcking]

Occasional good play shouldn't hide the fact that those two, as supposedly helping the midfield, were missing for large chunk of the game. For instance, Lingard only had 26 passes during 85 min. on the field, with Pereira was even worse (15 passes in 73 min.). That is unacceptable number for midfielders. Their numbers are comparable to Rashford and Martial, both forwards, combined (21+28 passes).

In contrast, Scott had 46 passes, with Pogba 62. Both were also did the pressing, and in Pogba case, the creative force and bringing the ball forward also.

Lingard and Pereira played in attacking midfield.

 

[JJ12]

Didn't have his best games but still played well enough - which is indicative of how far he's come.

Will be a mainstay here for years.

 

[Siorac]

Because I see him developing his distrubution and starting to change the tempo of play. If he keeps improving this facet as he is displaying clearly, and also his defensive reading of the game then I feel we will have very mature well rounded midfielder in 2-3 seasons more in the Carrick mould. At 22 he has a high ceiling.

Actually I dont see anything style wise in his game that reminds me of Fletcher. I actually think he will prove to be a much more complete football.

About the only thing he has in common with Carrick is that they're both tall. I don't think he'll ever have Carrick's passing range.

I agree with @Sarni above, his ceiling is probably not as high as some, including yourself, expect. You even took issue with someone saying he's "not a world beater" which is the least controversial opinion ever about McTominay. A world beater in midfield would be someone like Iniesta, not McTominay.

 

[Irrational.]

He's going to be a leader on the pitch. He was rallying the players in the huddle after every goal. He lives and breathes Manchester United. He may be limited but he more than makes up for it with his attitude and giving everything on the pitch.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

He was OK. He really needs to improve his positioning if he is going to play the DM role for us in the future. There was times Chelsea were just running through us, which as a DM you cannot allow.

 

[Icemav]

About the only thing he has in common with Carrick is that they're both tall. I don't think he'll ever have Carrick's passing range.

I agree with @Sarni above, his ceiling is probably not as high as some, including yourself, expect. You even took issue with someone saying he's "not a world beater" which is the least controversial opinion ever about McTominay. A world beater in midfield would be someone like Iniesta, not McTominay.

Well I completely disagree. I think he is criminally underrated however its very early days for the young lad so I dont want to be pressured into big predictions. However I know what my gut instinct tells me.

The "not a world beater" comment is the type of stick thats he has been beaten with since breaking through to the 1st team. Its meant to degrade him as a player and potray him as a hard grafter and bit of a donkey. Iniesta? Legend of the game and multiple world cup and CL winner that plays a different position? .... totally and utterly irrelevant. The question is whether Scott will be CL calibre and go toe to toe with the best in Europe. Lets wait and see.

 

[RedRover]

I really dont understand where these opinions come from... not a world beater? He is 22 and developing into a fantastic young player. He can break up play and is starting to show he can control it too. If he keeps developing at the same pace we have another Carrick on our hands (though with more tenacity). So the whole "not a world beater but grafts" thing is just fecking bizaare.

He’s a decent player, works hard and is useful. He’s neat and tidy, looks solid but right now, in my opinion that’s it.

Perhaps he may improve significantly as a regular this season. I don’t necessarily see anything that makes me think he’ll be the player Carrick was.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He was a bit crap yesterday. He’s young. He’ll be inconsistent. Especially with the position he plays, where players typically peak relatively late in their careers. Which is not ideal but here we are.

 

[Freak]

He wasn’t composed when in possession yesterday. But I put it down to just being off for one game. He usually is better than that.

 

[Mcking]

I'd like to see our % possession with him in the team and without him. I feel the game largely passes by him and our midfield whenever he is on the pitch. He is definitely not as assertive as the likes of Pogba, Herrera, Matic, Fred, Mata and even Fellaini, and he struggles to get on the ball compared to the others. He does show sporadic bits of quality at times, but more often than not, he's relatively invisible and chasing shadows in midfield.

 

[LiquidSnake]

I feel like McTominay showed a lot of upside in pre-season and end of last season by being more "box to box". I think he really can offer a role in DM against lower table teams but I feel like he will be exposed in this role against any decent side... For now, I hope he can develop in this role.

To me, he's really a solid B2B midfielder for now. IMHO He will struggles in a DM role (a real anchoring role, not just doing the dirty work on just one player) and especially next to a guy like Pogba, which requires a great savyness.

I feel like he's trying to play a more calm role and then the game pass by him, while when he's more "front footed", he seems more confortable... Then again it would leave the midfield absolutely exposed.

 

[Siorac]

Well I completely disagree. I think he is criminally underrated however its very early days for the young lad so I dont want to be pressured into big predictions. However I know what my gut instinct tells me.

The "not a world beater" comment is the type of stick thats he has been beaten with since breaking through to the 1st team. Its meant to degrade him as a player and potray him as a hard grafter and bit of a donkey. Iniesta? Legend of the game and multiple world cup and CL winner that plays a different position? .... totally and utterly irrelevant. The question is whether Scott will be CL calibre and go toe to toe with the best in Europe. Lets wait and see.

It's really not, it's just meant to indicate that he's not a top tier talent. He's not ever going to be one of the best midfielders in the world. Like, say, I don't think Lindelöf is a "donkey" but he's definitely no world beater either.

 

[ivaldo]

For all the criticism of Matic, I wish Scott was as good on the ball as him. If we could merge them we’d have a hell of a player. Matic has no fecking legs sadly, and Scott has that in abundance.

Overall the midfield trio wasn’t nearly good enough today for me. Pereira doesn’t do enough.​

I just dont understand what people see in Matic in the ball, certainly not since signing for us. Matic takes far too long to move it on, if often gets caught on it and it's not as if his passing range is something impressive. He regularly messes up simple passes.

 

[Icemav]

It's really not, it's just meant to indicate that he's not a top tier talent. He's not ever going to be one of the best midfielders in the world. Like, say, I don't think Lindelöf is a "donkey" but he's definitely no world beater either.

But why does it need to be said? It has been a constant since he came into the senior squad. The fact is that Mourinho who hates promoting youth gave 20yo Scott games and now Ole also highly rates him at 22. Yet he is constantly spoken of as a limited grafter by many of our fans. Yes he tries his arse off and fights, but I see him doing and attempting a huge lot more than what some are claiming. He is trying to develop into a highly athletic well rounded midfield who will impact big games. His progression is clear at 22, which is a baby in midfield terms.

Now clearly I will not change peoples minds.... just comparing him to Carrick in risqué in these parts. Lets waits and see.

 

[crossy1686]

Looked like he was learning his trade in a new position or discipline yesterday but still offered more than Matic and probably as much as Herrera would have. I really like this lad, hoping he can have a really good season and make that position his own, mainly so I don't have to see Matic again.

 

[ivaldo]

What his performance yesterday demonstrated aptly is the need for physicality and mobility in defensive midfield. We simply can't afford to have any cart horses in there. He really needs to improve his positioning though and to work on receiving the ball on the half turn in midfield Its a good job our back 4 are as comfortable on the ball as they are as they often lacked a proper outlet.

 

[Rozay]

I just dont understand what people see in Matic in the ball, certainly not since signing for us. Matic takes far too long to move it on, if often gets caught on it and it's not as if his passing range is something impressive. He regularly messes up simple passes.

Despite moving like a sloth, Matic is wonderfully composed on the ball. He’s never rushed (ironically ) and can comfortably skip past a couple of men to beat the press if needed. I said in the summer, which naturally was strongly opposed which I get, but McTominay does not look after the ball well enough for me. He’s better when the game is more open, but when it becomes tighter and more compact, he becomes less reliable with his touch and ‘tika-taka’ for want of a better expression. He’s not really got that Matic shuffle yet either where he can pass the ball from one foot to another quickly and skip past two players.

Scott does have his strengths, and is useful, but is simply not a talented enough footballer to become this long-term automatic starter for me. If that happens it will be because we are just managing him, but we do need better on the ball to reach the top. He could never play in City’s midfield.

 

[GDaly95]

Against AC Milan, he was dropping in between our defenders, turning and distributing the ball with ease. He looked really classy actually. Granted the pace of the game was far slower, but he looked so composed and sure of himself on the ball.

Really went out the window yesterday. Don't recall him taking the ball, turning and moving it forward once. Didn't see him show for the ball. Didn't see him drop in between defenders and take control. I hope he can find another level in these games.

 

[ivaldo]

Despite moving like a sloth, Matic is wonderfully composed on the ball. He’s never rushed (ironically ) and can comfortably skip past a couple of men to beat the press if needed. I said in the summer, which naturally was strongly opposed which I get, but McTominay does not look after the ball well enough for me. He’s better when the game is more open, but when it becomes tighter and more compact, he becomes less reliable with his touch and ‘tika-taka’ for want of a better expression. He’s not really got that Matic shuffle yet either where he can pass the ball from one foot to another quickly and skip past two players.

Scott does have his strengths, and is useful, but is simply not a talented enough footballer to become this long-term automatic starter for me. If that happens it will be because we are just managing him, but we do need better on the ball to reach the top. He could never play in City’s midfield.

He isn't though. If he was he wouldn't give the ball away repeatedly, he wouldn't be caught in the ball repeatedly. The dawdling on the ball we saw against Milan preseason isn't a one off. There's no assertiveness in his first touch, he doesn't try to play with a moving ball. It's far easier to look silky on the ball when you're stationary. Ask him to use his first touch to move into space and hit a pass and he can't do it.

That said I'm not a massive fan of Mctominay either, but for the moment he's showing he's infinitely better for us than Matic is. I'm hoping we can push Garner along and get him ready for next season. Now that is someone who knows how to use the ball.

 

[FromTheBench]

He works hard and gives legs in midfield is improving positionally and is a physical presence.

But he is limited on the ball.

 

[Bwuk]

Not sure how people don’t see his obvious quality.

He’s a leader on the pitch too. It’s Fletcher mk2.