McTominay snubs Ten Hag as he pinpoints key role behind Man Utd heroics

Scott McTominay has put the revival of his Manchester United career down to Scotland boss Steve Clarke - not Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag.

The Scotland international was rumoured to be on the chopping block when Ten Hag first arrived at Old Trafford, amid reports that the Dutchman wasn't so keen on McTominay and was instead looking to cash in. No exit for the United academy graduate materialised and he's actually popped up with some vital goals for the Premier League giants this term.

So far, McTominay has nine goals and three assists across all competitions. He has featured in almost all of United's Premier League games and will play a key role in the club's aim to achieve Champions League qualification.

Reflecting on his improvement this term, the Scotsman has heralded the impact of national team boss Clarke. McTominay believes his change in attitude, and in turn his improved outfit, all stems from a conversation he had with the Scotland manager.

“Yes. I’d say it did, to be fair," the 27-year-old explained to the Telegraph. "That was the camp where the manager and I sat down and he said that I didn’t look happy, that I didn’t look like I was smiling about the place. I thought ‘maybe he’s right’.

"I went and spoke to my mum, my dad, my girlfriend at the time and they all pretty much said the same thing. Sometimes, you just need to enjoy football and play with a smile on your face and take it easy.

"Not everything’s the end of the world if you’re not playing so well and you’re not in the team, whatever. Ever since that, to be fair, I’ve just thought ‘let’s go for it’. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders."

At the start of the campaign, United legend Gary Neville suggested that Ten Hag was actually managing McTominay out of the club. His comments came after the Scot was left on the bench as an unused substitute during the 2-0 defeat away at Tottenham in August.

"If they look at the first two weeks, they have to fund it [the midfield] or there will be a big problem. What is clear is that Ten Hag doesn't want to revert back to Scott McTominay," Neville claimed.

"With Fernandes on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn't look capable of functioning as one. Does he go back to McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It's almost as if he is managing him out of the club."