When McTominay was brought off the bench against Brentford with 87 minutes remaining, Erik ten Hag’s team appeared to be out of it.
The Scot miraculously changed the outcome of the match in United’s favor by scoring twice in stoppage time during a forceful cameo. McTominay, a club favorite who is known for his professionalism and mentality, hasn’t been playing as often as he would like lately.
McTominay has played just 184 minutes of Premier League football this season, having only started two of his club’s eight league games thus far.
And in the middle of stories about players like Jadon Sancho having attitude issues, Alan Cawley of House of Football feels it’s odd that McTominay’s manager doesn’t give him more playing time.
The former League of Ireland midfielder, Cawley, declared, “I admire McTominay, and I always have.
Good, honest boy. I believe there is a place for him, even though Ten Hag obviously doesn’t see him as a component of the midfield three, four, or whatever system he uses.
“And I believe that player on the squad is in that capacity.
“There is a place for him somewhere with the amount of games they have, coming on the occasional game, making an impact like he did at the weekend, playing in League cup games, FA Cup games, stuff like that.
“He’s a good fella to have around the squad,” states Cawley, “and it’s almost ironic when you hear all these problems with players’ attitudes, yet here’s a lad who’s a really good lad, with a great attitude, yet Ten Hag doesn’t (rate him that highly).”
Although McTominay isn’t a starter for Manchester United, Cawley believes the 26-year-old should be playing more.
“Look, I don’t see him as a long-term answer or as one of the players who, if you play him every week, we’re going to topple a Man City or Arsenal or get above them,” said the coach. He’s not that good, in my opinion.
“And Man United need top quality players if they’re ever going to get above City or Arsenal, but in terms of a role at the club, and a part of a squad, and you do need a squad now, I would have him absolutely, 100% as part of that sqaud.”
In the summer, Manchester United did turn down a £35 million offer from West Ham for McTominay because the team reportedly valued the midfielder at more than £40 million.
“It was wonderful to see him develop. He’s had to wait, which has been challenging for him. He probably thought he was on his way out and wanted to leave just to play games, but it just goes to show how professional he was to be able to come on and have that kind of an effect.