Scott McTominay (Part 2)

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30 Mar 2024

Scott McTominay (Part 2)

Scott McTominay demonstrated his scoring prowess once again, netting his first goal of the season in Manchester United's 3–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup. This goal showcased his importance as a goal-scoring midfielder for the team.
McTominay's goal-scoring exploits continued on December 20, 2020, in a memorable match against Leeds United. He scored a remarkable brace within three minutes in a thrilling 6–2 home win, making history in the Premier League as the first player to score twice within the opening three minutes of a game. This achievement highlighted his ability to make an immediate impact on the pitch.

Further underlining his leadership qualities, McTominay was appointed as the stand-in captain for Manchester United in the FA Cup game against Watford on January 9, 2021. He rose to the occasion by scoring the only goal of the match within five minutes, securing a crucial 1–0 victory for his team.
Continuing his impressive form, McTominay found the back of the net once again on February 2, 2021, as Manchester United recorded a historic 9–0 home win against Southampton in the Premier League. His goal contributed to the team's record-equalling victory, showcasing his attacking prowess.

Just four days later, McTominay maintained his goal-scoring momentum by scoring in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Everton. This goal marked a significant milestone for him, as it represented his highest scoring season thus far, with a total of six goals in all competitions. His consistent goal-scoring contributions played a crucial role in Manchester United's campaign during the 2020-2021 season.
On December 30, 2021, Scott McTominay broke his goal drought for the season by opening the scoring in Manchester United's 3–1 victory over Burnley. His goal played a crucial role in securing the win for his team, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively from midfield.
Just 11 days later, on January 10, 2022, McTominay once again showcased his goal-scoring prowess by finding the back of the net against Aston Villa in the third round of the 2021–22 FA Cup. His goal helped Manchester United advance to the fourth round of the competition, highlighting his importance in key matches and his knack for delivering important goals when needed most.

Scott McTominay found himself starting games less frequently for Manchester United compared to previous seasons. This decrease in playing time was attributed to the arrival of Casemiro, who became the team's first-choice defensive midfielder. Despite facing increased competition for a spot in the starting lineup, McTominay continued to contribute to the team's success.
On February 26, 2023, McTominay achieved a significant milestone in his career by winning his first senior trophy. He played a crucial role in the 2023 EFL Cup final against Newcastle United, coming on as a substitute in the second half. Despite not starting the match, McTominay's contribution helped Manchester United secure victory in the final, marking a memorable moment in his football journey.

Scott McTominay delivered a remarkable performance for Manchester United after coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute against Brentford. In a stunning display of skill and determination, he scored two goals in stoppage time, leading United to a memorable 2–1 comeback victory.
Later, on November 29, McTominay continued his goal-scoring form by netting his first UEFA Champions League goal away against Galatasaray in a thrilling 3–3 draw. His scoring spree didn't stop there, as he followed it up with a brace in the Premier League against Chelsea, helping United secure a 2–1 victory the following week.

McTominay achieved another milestone in his career by captaining Manchester United for the first time in a Premier League match. He led the team to a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, showcasing his leadership qualities on the pitch.
McTominay's impressive season continued on February 11, 2024, when he scored the winning goal in a crucial away match against Aston Villa at Villa Park. His decisive goal secured a vital 2–1 victory for Manchester United, further solidifying his importance to the team.

Scott McTominay was born in England but has familial ties to Scotland through his father, who hails from Helensburgh. Despite being eligible to represent England, McTominay decided to pledge his international allegiance to Scotland.
In November 2017, McTominay expressed his desire to focus on establishing himself in the Manchester United first team rather than pursuing international opportunities with Scotland. However, he later had a change of heart and committed himself to representing Scotland at the international level.

His decision was reinforced by Manchester United manager José Mourinho, who encouraged Scotland's national team manager, Alex McLeish, to select McTominay for international duty. McTominay's grandfather also revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former manager of Manchester United, had expressed his desire for McTominay to represent Scotland.
McLeish made a significant effort to meet with McTominay, despite challenging weather conditions, to discuss his international future. McTominay reiterated his desire to play for Scotland, citing his pride in representing the country where he has familial roots. He expressed gratitude to McLeish for the opportunity and looked forward to contributing to the Scottish national team.

Scott McTominay made his international debut for Scotland in Alex McLeish's first game in charge. He was one of four players to receive their first caps for Scotland in that match, playing 57 minutes in a friendly against Costa Rica, which ended in a 1–0 defeat. McTominay's debut marked the beginning of his international career with the Scottish national team.
His first competitive appearance for Scotland came in September 2018, when he made a substitute appearance in the 79th minute during a 2–0 victory against Albania. This match saw McTominay participate in a competitive fixture for Scotland, further solidifying his presence within the national team setup.
McTominay was called up for international duty again in November 2019. However, he was unable to feature due to injury, highlighting the occasional challenges players face in maintaining their availability for both club and country.

Scott McTominay was deployed as a centre-back in a three-man defence during international matches. This positional change was noted by The Times, which commented on McTominay's physical attributes being suitable for the role but also highlighted his struggles in adapting to it. Despite initial challenges, McTominay continued in this position during the October 2020 internationals. The Daily Record noted signs of improvement in his performance during this period.
During these matches, McTominay showcased his versatility by successfully converting both of his penalties in shootouts against Israel and in the final playoff against Serbia. His contributions were instrumental in Scotland's qualification for their first major tournament in 23 years.

Following his impactful performances, McTominay was included in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the Euro 2020 finals. He started all three Group D games against the Czech Republic, England, and Croatia, although Scotland ultimately did not advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.