[RedOrange]

A thought to the agenda driven haters - Fred could not have done what Scott did today. He shielded our defence, made several tackles, headers and clearances.

The front three/four/five were largely anonymous today, yet some want to blame McTominay - who was playing as a #6 - for the lack of attacking fluidity. Nonsense.

He's fine in defence, he has even improved remarkably in his positioning and made a good tactical foul to stop a counter.

His main problem is that he still does not help in buildup and ball progression at all. Every time the back 4 or Eriksen had the ball he would just find a clump of Soton midfielders and stand in the middle of it with at least one of them between him and the ball.

I think he's best suited to being cover for Casemiro and a late game sub defending a lead. He had a much bigger impact on the game for the last 15-20 minutes when we were sitting back.

 

[SAFMUTD]

He's good to have as back up, he's energetic and good to defend in the air. But damn he's so average on the ball, I can see him doing well even as captain on o low table team.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

The folks criticising him today are outing themselves as having made up their mind no matter what he does.

He's still poor on the ball, but his fighting and grinding was really important for us today against a Southampton team that were trying to wear us down physically.

If he could get his head up and pass he could be a top player.

Jeeeezus fecking christ, and we have to put up with comments like this.

He was more seen in the second half, but completely anonymous in the first half, completing perhaps 3 passes. This is when we should get into control of the games, it's not about having 100% possession either, but to get into spaces help the CBs to build up, he's nto able to do anything and his defending is very suspicious as well.

He's one of the worst starters for United for the past 15 years and one of the reasons we are dragged into mediocrity and got overplayed by this inexperienced bottom table Southampton side. If he could get his head up and pass he could be a top player, my word. Imagine it or not but these are the two biggest assets a midfielder can have.

 

[Augustus Gloop]

Think it was quite telling ETH kept him on for the entire game…. I honestly thought his physicality was key.

Offered a lot defensively which I think was obvious for all to see but also won us a dangerous looking free kick first half and broke into the box in threatening areas twice in the 2nd half.

 

[GDaly95]

Good second half in particular.

Still poor on the ball and effortlessly ghosted past in midfield so often.

He won't start the next match anyway.

 

[Abraxas]

Strange how he gets blamed for not "controlling the game." As if one midfielder does that in modern football. The entire front four players kept handing the ball back to Southampton. It doesn't matter how proficient Eriksen and McTominay are with possession (and I'm not saying McT is) when the front lads gift it back to the opposition at every turn. It just means your midfield always has be ready to pelt it back to cover, most of their time and energy is spent on defence and you're not really going to build controlled possession.

 

[Bobski]

Strange how he gets blamed for not "controlling the game." As if one midfielder does that in modern football. The entire front four players kept handing the ball back to Southampton. It doesn't matter how proficient Eriksen and McTominay are with possession (and I'm not saying McT is) when the front lads gift it back to the opposition at every turn. It just means your midfield always has be ready to pelt it back to cover, most of their time and energy is spent on defence and you're not really going to build controlled possession.

Stop introducing context and nuance, it might blow some minds.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

He's good to have as back up, he's energetic and good to defend in the air. But damn he's so average on the ball, I can see him doing well even as captain on o low table team.

He’s below average on the ball that’s the entire problem. Defensively he was decent and good in the air, but it’s like playing a man down when we are in possession because he’s terrified of having to pass the ball.

 

[Slysi17]

Why should he be sold? He can surely be second to third backup. Liverpool have Milner, Elliot, Chamberlain, Keita as backups. It's really only City that have top top quality in debt.

Because he ain't good enough. Technical ability is poor, passing is poor and reading of the game is shite. This is Manchester United not Burnley.

 

[harms]

Why is it always one or the other and everyone who disagrees with you has an agenda? He wasn't bad — he contributed a lot defensively, especially in terms of clearances. He wasn't very good — he was awful in possession and played a big part in us conceding midfield control to Southampton, especially in the first half when he had spent so much time not participating in the game at all. Overall it's a bit meh and it's certainly not good enough for United if we are ever to move forward. But he's done alright and he had certainly put his heart into it.

 

[JakeC]

Man of the match today. He was everywhere.

 

[El__Jingo]

people are deluded, he was kept on because of his height.. "fred couldnt do what he did?!" obviously not because fred isnt 6 ft .. problem is with people on this forum they dont understand that the reason were sat back is because players like mctominay cannot control a game.

when we actually have lads capable of playing the ball around under pressure we wont need to be camped around in our own half.. do you think city/liverpool etc would be scrapping a 1-0 win against a southampton side who lets be honest had no real threat what so ever.

its like ive seen people on the Elanga thread praising him. Hes another absolutely out of his depth.

today we seen yet again the same names Elanga, McT , Bruno and Rashford showing us how far behind they are. we cannot go into games carrying players because its gooing to cost us time and time again

 

[Rajma]

Man of the match today. He was everywhere.

 

[edgecutter]

Man of the match today. He was everywhere.

People talking about agendas and you get this peach of analysis here. He wasn't man of the match. The backline all played their part and were the reason we won that game.

 

[The Hilton]

Jeeeezus fecking christ, and we have to put up with comments like this.

He was more seen in the second half, but completely anonymous in the first half, completing perhaps 3 passes. This is when we should get into control of the games, it's not about having 100% possession either, but to get into spaces help the CBs to build up, he's nto able to do anything and his defending is very suspicious as well.

He's one of the worst starters for United for the past 15 years and one of the reasons we are dragged into mediocrity and got overplayed by this inexperienced bottom table Southampton side. If he could get his head up and pass he could be a top player, my word. Imagine it or not but these are the two biggest assets a midfielder can have.

The irony of your first sentence, given that you follow it up immediately with laughable hyperbole. Something about stones and glass houses comes to mind.

Yes he has numerous shortcomings, particularly on the ball, but his physicality was priceless in the second half

 

[Nori-]

Almost every bad pass, error, holding the ball too long etc goes through McTominay and no one is highlighting it.

Am I the only one seeing this? Am I going crazy?

His ability is so far below some of the international players around him and he seems to fool people by showing a bit of passion and running around like a headless chicken.

 

[The Hilton]

He has no chance of being a top player when he is poor on the ball. Seems like him putting in a tackle and running around is enough for some people.

Well that's exactly what I said - if he could improve on the ball he could be a top player, as he has the physical attributes that are required in this day and age.

 

[Andersonson]

He's 6th choice now.

??

 

[Andersonson]

Say what you want, he is in front of Fred and Donny in the order. And righly so

 

[Marcelinho87]

I mean come on, such grudging, condescending bullshit. Being in the right place(something he has struggled with in the past) at the right time, working as defensive group is important part of his role, and he did it well. Now maybe he is just a stopgap until Casemiro is up to pace and the football will evolve but he has done a great job for his manager for the last 2 games.

He doesn't struggle with it, he actively searches out the wrong positions to avoid being passed the ball... He hides.

 

[charlenefan]

Fairly good second half in fairness, I wanted him off at HT

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Almost every bad pass, error, holding the ball too long etc goes through McTominay and no one is highlighting it.

Am I the only one seeing this? Am I going crazy?

His ability is so far below some of the international players around him and he seems to fool people by showing a bit of passion and running around like a headless chicken.

No there’s a good 70% of us that see it. Then the other 30% talk about how great he is at putting in a shift and the like

 

[westmeath]

He did a good job today and away from home in tight games, that shielding job is priceless.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

He doesn't struggle with it, he actively searches out the wrong positions to avoid being passed the ball... He hides.

Go watch Chelsea when playing out of a press from the back and how much their midfielders move around to show options for the defenders and then watch McT. It’s a fecking crime and I don’t care how many tackles he makes a player at this level should never hide from the fecking ball

 

[Poborsky's hair]

The irony of your first sentence, given that you follow it up immediately with laughable hyperbole. Something about stones and glass houses comes to mind.

Yes he has numerous shortcomings, particularly on the ball, but his physicality was priceless in the second half

Yep, why not to send him on loan to MMA? Perhaps there he wouldn't have anywhere to hide.

Defending such a shambolic showing only shows lack of knowledge of football. This is not Scottish PL but several tiers higher league where winning a couple of duels is key but it's only when as a consequence of being not good enough on the ball because you either pass it 5 meters back to a CB who is put under the pressure or lose it yourself, or just don't show up for a pass only to concede again possession. But with somefans who never played football on a dcent level and can't understand that football is a complex game with a lot of consequences.

McTominay stinks the place for more than 3 years. When he finally gets out of United, it won't take long and he will be on the bench of a midtable championship team. Pathetic to even argue with people like you.

 

[AndySmith1990]

We've just signed one of the best DM's in football. McTominay is going to be a squad player. I can live with that, despite not rating him particularly highly

 

[Raven]

He's a serviceable squad player but his hiding from the ball is really annoying.

 

[Desert Eagle]

I thought he was OK today. Defended well but didn't offer much going forward. In a midfield with Bruno and eriksen I think I can live with that.

 

[The Hilton]

Yep, why not to send him on loan to MMA? Perhaps there he wouldn't have anywhere to hide.

Defending such a shambolic showing only shows lack of knowledge of football. This is not Scottish PL but several tiers higher league where winning a couple of duels is key but it's only when as a consequence of being not good enough on the ball because you either pass it 5 meters back to a CB who is put under the pressure or lose it yourself, or just don't show up for a pass only to concede again possession. But with somefans who never played football on a dcent level and can't understand that football is a complex game with a lot of consequences.

McTominay stinks the place for more than 3 years. When he finally gets out of United, it won't take long and he will be on the bench of a midtable championship team. Pathetic to even argue with people like you.

This is among the most childish posts I've ever read on Redcafe. Oozing with unearned arrogance.

The statement that folks who disagree with you don't understand football is great, you understand that includes our current and previous 3 managers right?

A key part of disagreeing and debating like a grown up is that you can disagree with someone without it meaning they're lacking knowledge in the subject.

 

[Escobar]

He was far better on the ball than that.

It's just lazy, agenda driven nonsense that people were spouting before he even touched the ball today. The lad played the dirty role behind two lightweight attacking midfielders and for some reason he's getting the blame for our lack of footballing in the midfield.

He did his job, often as one man facing 3 especially in that second half. How about pointing fingers at the lads who went missing for large parts instead of picking the easy target every time?

It is rather you hyping a mediocre player up. He was decent today but in terms of passing, possession, distribution, vision etc. not better than usual.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Think it was quite telling ETH kept him on for the entire game…. I honestly thought his physicality was key.

Offered a lot defensively which I think was obvious for all to see but also won us a dangerous looking free kick first half and broke into the box in threatening areas twice in the 2nd half.

Against that kind of team, who are aggressive a bit dirty and press well he always tends to do well. Feel his good games have always come against Leeds, Soton, Pool

 

[Longshanks]

Thought he was pretty good today in a pretty poor team performance. He was disciplined did alot of good dirty work really helped to shield the back four. And gave us some much needed physicality and aggression in the middle of the park.

The reason we never really got any control was because we decided to spend most of the day hitting long to Rashford Sancho and Elanga all of which have very limited aerial or hold up ability. Meaning mostly we were just handing possesion back to Southampton and at no point did we then push up to squeeze the space and press Southampton to try and force control. Both of which have got far more to do with our GK than anyone else.

Without his physicality and fight today we would of lost no doubt.

 

[dubplate warrior]

He was far better on the ball than that.

It's just lazy, agenda driven nonsense that people were spouting before he even touched the ball today. The lad played the dirty role behind two lightweight attacking midfielders and for some reason he's getting the blame for our lack of footballing in the midfield.

He did his job, often as one man facing 3 especially in that second half. How about pointing fingers at the lads who went missing for large parts instead of picking the easy target every time?

Ergh. Such a typical, lazy accusation. Don't agree that mediocre player is mediocre? Agenda! Not good enough to play for United, end of discussion.

His physicality is his best attribute, that's not a great sign.

 

[diarm]

Ergh. Such a typical, lazy accusation. Don't agree that mediocre player is mediocre? Agenda! Not good enough to play for United, end of discussion.

His physicality is his best attribute, that's not a great sign.

Nah mate, it's an agenda when you spew your same shite as every other week without paying any attention to what's happening in front of your eyes.

What's lazy is me clicking ignore on you straight after this post, along with the 45 others who went earlier today.

My new seasons resolution is not wasting any more time listening to mouth breathers on here.

 

[Foxbatt]

He wasn't our worst player and after a poor start he had a decent game. If we are expecting McTominay to control the midfield it can't be done. His physicality and his strength was why he was kept on.

 

[CallyRed]

Not as shit today

 

[dubplate warrior]

Nah mate, it's an agenda when you spew your same shite as every other week without paying any attention to what's happening in front of your eyes.

What's lazy is me clicking ignore on you straight after this post, along with the 45 others who went earlier today.

My new seasons resolution is not wasting any more time listening to mouth breathers on here.

Grown man getting upset over differing opinions on a public forum

Frankly not listening to people who disagree with you when you're in this space has all the hallmarks of a bell which has an end.

 

[EtH]

Should be the last match he starts for a while now yeah ?

 

[El__Jingo]

Thought he was pretty good today in a pretty poor team performance. He was disciplined did alot of good dirty work really helped to shield the back four. And gave us some much needed physicality and aggression in the middle of the park.

The reason we never really got any control was because we decided to spend most of the day hitting long to Rashford Sancho and Elanga all of which have very limited aerial or hold up ability. Meaning mostly we were just handing possesion back to Southampton and at no point did we then push up to squeeze the space and press Southampton to try and force control. Both of which have got far more to do with our GK than anyone else.

Without his physicality and fight today we would of lost no doubt.

the fact that we have a midfielder who completed 22 passes in 90 minutes doesnt help, maybe if we actually had a ball playing midfielder who went looking for the ball we would put ourselves in a better position to make games more comfortable instead of sitting back inviting pressure on ..

our Gk?? you do realise the midfielders are the link between attack and defence dont you ? within the next 12 months whether it will be De Jong or not some fans on here will actually learn what a world class midfielder looks like. thankfully Casemiro is going to put an end to Scott playing DM, now we just need another CM to push him further down the pecking order.

 

[Mmm-Qatarian]

He was good today. He did so his usual trick of failing to make himself available a few times but people slating his performance because he "wasn't progressive enough" are failing to account for the fact that progression was not his job.

He was in the side to break up Southampton's play, offer further protection from the long ball and help the centre backs deal with the physical presence offered by Southampton's forward line. By and large, he did this well.

I'm no massive fan of McTominay but it's getting tiring seeing him lambasted just for the sake of it.