Mount’s best games are when Bruno is on the bench and McTominay has been a beast for Scotland but a lamb for most of his United career. It is bleedingly obvious that Scott is not a a holding midfielder, but his size betrays him and successive managers have insisted on playing him there.

Playing both Mount and Fernandes together is so strange. Never understood that signing.

Said it for a few years now, McTomminay is severely underutilized at club level. He is outstanding for Scotland in an attacking role, he's outscoring the likes of Kane, Mbappe, Haaland, Saka, Ronaldo in the Euro Qualifiers. Joint top scorers with Lukaku and Holjund. In an arguably harder group than the rest (except Haaland obviously, which makes it even more impressive).

The fact he's played center back, dm, am, and striker just makes me wonder more about how much managers/coaches actually know. Imagine being naturally good at one thing and then having a manager be like "yeah man, you're going to do the opposite." No player is going to say no, so I can't really blame the player for going along with it.

The Fellaini role lol

Been saying it for years. McTominay is an intelligent, technical, powerful attacking player. He’s brilliant in tight situations, gets his head on things and is an excellent finisher. He’s never been someone who comes to collect the ball in midfield, in fact so often finds himself in the shadows of pressing opposition. Ole made it work in a counter attacking system and the club therefore didn’t invest in proper central midfielders. Now that we’ve got that in Casemiro and Amrabat, there’s no excuses why McTominay can’t play further forward.

Took ten hag long to realize to try mctom further upfield. His goal scoring form for scotland and watching him play reminded me of tomasz muller. Why did it take ten hag 2 months to see this?

Mctominay also had one disallowed, could of had a hat-trick if martial was onside

I'd like to see Mctominey sign for west ham. Moyes has been very good at moving players to different positions. Like changing Bowen into a 2nd striker. He'd work very well in a counter attacking system!

mount has been a decent signing so far and it feels like hes being bombed on the same way he was at Chelsea whilst playing well. what youre missing is how valuable Mount is OOP. hes an elite presser with incredible work rate, and when Mctominay has played this season his OOP approach has left much to be desired (e.g. hes joined the list of midfielders that have been terrible at tracking players into the box). if were needing a goal late on in the game, then hes a great box crasher against tired legs, but when hes started games higher up hes just not been good enough, especially when the technical qualities of a player like Mount offer so much more if you want to try and control a game. im perfectly happy with Mounts first few games, so starting Mctominay over him seems wide of the mark to me

Really loving the content recently Jim!

Some of us have been saying this for years. McTominay's "problem" has always been that he puts the club ahead of himself, and whenever a manager says, "Go play in this position" he says "Absolutely"" and doesn;t piss and moan and then try to sneak into his favourite position. (In fact whenever he HAS done that he's done well at scoring...) He has a very accurate shot from anywhere in or aound the box, (I don't expect to see many long range piledrivers from him, but he might have one in the locker if he's given license to unleash) and because he's not focused on himself, but rather the Team, he's not scared of stats. This means he will shoot for the corners rather than the centre of the goal because he doesn't care about "If I don't score, I at least need to tick off a Shot On Target!" That attitude to shooting was one of the main reasons that three years ago Greenwood outscored Martial with almost identical shot opportunity stats... Martial wasn't in form and aimed down the middle almost every time he shot because he was afraid to "Miss" , Greenwood didn't give a toss and was firing them into the corners and some would go wide... And a point to make is that it's actually better if the following transition comes from a goal kick than a throw or kick out from the GK, because you have more time to reset your defence. Stop worrying about stats! SHOOT FOR THE ****ING CORNERS!!! It's the bit where the goalkeeper ISN'T! McTominay has been played out of position almost his entire time at United. People made such a bloody fuss about Donny van de Beek, "He needs a run of seven or eight games... in his favoured position, with better players around him..." but McTominay? "He's just a shit Scottich CDM..." Most of this anti McTominay mythology was instigated by a populist little prick on KZfaq who now also works for Talksport, so you know that he's ONLY interested in generating anger and outrage... SM was an easy target for the Hard of Thinking, and they swallowed it.

so mctominay is the scottish haaland, got it, thanks james.

McTominay has never been the type of midfielder that controls games, and I don't know why managers keep expecting that of him. He's a box-to-box midfielder, he can sit in the middle of the park when Man U are defending, and get into the box to score goals when Man U are attacking.

McT has never been terrible it’s about his coaching and right position look at how he plays for scotland

Makes me wonder why United signed Mount in the first place, if it was an ETH decision then that’s worrying if he couldn’t see what most fans in the country would’ve been able to point out.

I think he'd be really valuable for teams like West Ham or Brentford -- low touch, physical presence, box crasher with good goalscoring instincts. Not a world beater but there is value there. He has a somewhat weird and unique profile that has been misused time and time again. He is not a DM, he offers nothing in deep buildup. He has value for United in this kind of role but you imagine Uniteds ambition in terms of playing style long term don't match up with a West Ham, but with the way things have been going for them why not? Kind of player Fergie would have got a lot out of for several years. If Bruno is pumping balls into the box, someone needs to be getting on the end of them

Great point bruh... i always said McTominay isnt a DM Man UTD have always used him as a DM... Mctominay is lethal in box always 👍‍‍👍‍‍

Personally I think ETH needs to be brave and drop Casiemero and Rashford. Play Garnacho, McTominnay and Anthony. I think the team will be well balanced then. I think McTominnay is better suited box to box and Fernandes is a far better number 10. Anthony is better suited to the wing as Fernandes isn't disciplined enough to stay in position. Amrabat could work quite well in conjunction with McTominnay. I'd rather play lesser or academy players in their natural position than big names out of their natural position. It's also a great way to find out who can "step up" and make a name for themselves. I'm surprised in ETH stubbornness.

He's a second striker, a pressing forward.

I’ve just rewatched this- I distinctly remember watching this when I was thinking that mctominay is showing natural evolution towards being a support striker. Like a false 10 not sure how to explain. But I’ve come back after his 2 goals against Chelsea, and the evidence is now mounting up even further- how about doing an update on this video and giving your further thoughts on it? It is becoming a compelling argument as it already was back when you did this video.

Jim is like my footballing shaman. Enlightening me and opening up my third eye when it comes to football. No one does it quite like him. Brilliant stuff.

this is cool but cant be plan A for united. I can see this being an option if they're pushing for a late goal

No no no no. Problem is Bruno and Rashford do not put in decent crosses for all our strikers. They don't get into box to support but that is because they shoot or look for a Hollywood pass as we now call it,. To top it off, most of our team try to affect play when we get forward, then cause players, like Rashford can't keep possession, we are left wanting when we get hit on the counter and our transition is not disciplined. Thats it, get them 2 out, add a second goalthreat and we go from there

People laughed when joelinton was made into a centre mid. Get mctom back at striker like he was in the academy

Absolutely need a change for the matches ahead and SM is perfectly suited to occupy that role.

Did you not watch the game? Mount and Bruno swapped postions, obviously his heat map will look like that

Who else has noticed mount was playing bruno's position when he was at chelsea?

I dont think McTominay is good enough to start as a striker for man utd. However as a box-crashing attacking midfielder/ second striker he could be pretty good, like a discount Julian Alvarez. Slightly less technical, but a little more physical. Maybe a 4141 would be possible if they had wingers who were better defensively or utd could press high and rely on energy. Problem is a quite disjointed squad for utd. Loads of subpar talent and loads of decent players but with strengths that really dont make a well rounded team. Playing a 4231 but they dont really have wingers with a good enough workrate or defensive ability. Too many players who should occupy a 10 role. Casemiro the only true 6, with Eriksen and Amrabat as alternatives that might not have to ability to fulfill all the roles of a modern 8. Lets just skip the defensive line and wingbacks. Liverpool are making a midfield without a true 6 work because their entire midfield trio has a workrate and energy that makes up for less defensive skill (1-1's, anticipation etc).

As a united fans mctominay fails the eye test every time, also he literally hides behind opposition players so he doesn't have to get the ball

He scores 2 goals and all of a sudden he's the next Harry Kane. The only thing this game proved is that he's a bench player. He comes on and creates chaos, which either costs us a game or wins. That lack of touches you're talking about, is perfect for a bench player to come on and do things quickly, but it's also risky, since we know how often he loses the ball

Playing McTominay in the 10 role is essentially what previous managers did with Fellaini! This is essentially an answer to a question that no one has asked. McTominay isn't a bad desperation option as a back up striker, but he doesn't get anywhere near the starting line up. As for those who speak about his international football goals, Lukaku is one of the best international strikers of all time but can't get anywhere near a Premier League level

And he just scored a worldie against Spain that VAR f'd up. My only problem with him is that he somehow doesn't believe in himself. He's always deferred to others in the team. I think he should be booting them up the arse. I hope his recent form has changed his mindset.

To be clear, he didn't JUST score twice in five touches, he put the ball in the net THREE times in ten minutes with five touches. He's an out and out finisher.

he's always been good in and around the box, never been a CDM he should be a striker the kid was a striker all through his youth

Ten Hag won't consider this lmao. He doesn't spend any time thinking about tactics. He is too busy thinking about his next excuse.

He can't pass; he can't defend and he can't create any chances. Man United are struggling in defending and creating chances. United can't even create one good chance for Hojlund. I don't see this working apart from situations like the Brentford game.

You’re talking about McTom playing the Frank Lampard role. Maybe makes sense. He’s never been a defensive player despite his aggression and size.

Scott's best / main position is as a striker or CAM - always has been, always will be. He's NOT a CDM. Sadly, he's always been used as a CDM and this is a square peg in a round hole and reduces his impact and instincts in a match.

some of the goals hes scored in the box, are natural goals a CF would score. the 2000th goal for United is an example and these two

Great to hear someone who gets McT!

It’s simple, he can’t start the game as a midfielder for Man Utd in the system eth wants to play. However, if he’s happy being a mostly squad player, there’s always a place for him to come off the bench for us and cause havoc even when this team reaches its final shape

He's defo got an eye for a goal. It makes sense to play him further up the pitch.

Yes, Scott can be our Joelinton 👍🤝 I remember when Joelinton was insulted and was said to be a wasted player

Simple answer? Yes.

McT is an attacker, he makes good runs, finds space and encourages all around him BUT he is always portrayed as a defensive MF. Play him in his right place and he will be one of the best in the club. He bleeds United. I wish people would get off his back. He has guts, grit and takes no sh*t. We need someone who is strong. I wouldn't want to be a defender facing him and Rasmus up front.

McT n Hojlund will create physical havoc for opposition defenders

He scores bangers too. Some long shot on the lad. Always liked mcsauce, hopefully he can rejouvinate his united career.

Lol I think every deep United fan like me knew this. McTominay was an attacking midfielder and striker, mostly an attacking midfielder and he captained the youth teams.

United are masters of misprofiling players and misusing them. Mctominay - striker Fellaini - attacking mid Pogba - attacking 8/10 Mata - attacking mid Fred - 8

Im all in on McTomminine! Lets Go!

I’m certainly hot the first to realise this, but I’ve been concluding that it isn’t really about how good an individual is when it come to midfield- it’s about the synergy of the 3/4 other midfield as all working together. Bruno and Tonali at newcastle is another great example. Both fantastic, not really great together

It was his coupling with Fred that was the issue.

Someone who can put the ball in the back of the net is what Manu need right now.. if he can get to the end of the ball n score.. gd enough for me

Really hope he plays ST the next 4-5 games……he’s more clinical then Haaland inside and around the box.

As much as I agree with playing Mctom in an adv position rather than DM, it’s all predicated on Bruno playing on the right which is a big L

What happened to the fallout ?

McTominay should just become our 4th striker, period. Holjund, Rashford, Martial, Scotty2Hotty

Bruno needs to learn not to play the CAM role and convert himself into an 8. Modern teams don't use actual number 10 (CAMs) anymore

McTominay, plays great for Scotland, in 3 games against Leeds and for 11 mins vs Brentford, thats all for 5 years.

Ten Hag is too stubborn. I am not sure if he would consider it. If McTom is able to pull a JoeLinton, i think he will succeed because McTom has scored quite a few Golazos for United

2:30 amazing when you look at this "gung ho" Man United team and guess who got the final assist on a terrific header? Maguire has played well on his last two starts and has earned more game time IMHO

Can be tried & see. No harm.

I have been saying it all along he needs to play thurther up the pitch .his build up play is sideways and back .

I think his best position would be getting sold to Leeds United and playing in the championship

Lets be honest, it was not a tactical move from 10H but more out of desperation as he ran out of ideas. McTom has that quality n how the manager choses to play Wout in a support 10 than McTom does clearly show he will only play players he trust than who can be effective for certain games ie Amrabat in LB when most too level managers who have switch to a back 3 (Varane,Maguire, Evans, Lindelof, Dalot to choose) n 5 across midfield (Casemiro,Amrabat, Mount, Bruno, Erikson, Pellistri, Garnacho n Antony) n two attackers (give the number of injuries to our back line n wide players are not exactly chance creators n our midfield is way too expose). Dont fit square pegs in round holes (like Ole) and give the youth a chance (Sir Alex) to gain minutes n confidence. Even a flat back 4 could comprise of Dalot n Lindelof covering fullbacks n still the options of Varane, Maguire n Evans for CB. This management n the fact during preseason we get leaks of players to be sold than giving minutes to players who are now sold, loan or sideline is an indication of the pride n stubborness of Ten Hag. It no surprise there are displeasures inside the changing room. With amount of midfielders n wide attackers fit - playing them into a midfield 5 combination would actually benefit the team and than we have real options for the two striker combo of Hojland/Marcus/Martial/McTom

McTominay is a natural striker, bcoz he can put the ball at the back of the net. Meanwhile, Rashford and Martial are natural defenders, bcoz they can pass the ball back to the keeper - the opposition GK that is.😂

All I make from the McTominay goals is he should be an attacking impact sub if United chase a goal late in the game. He's shown numerous times in many years he's more or less useless as a midfield player especially defensively. Yes he's big and strong but also too slow for the Prem and make to many silly freekicks. No doubt though he has his heart in the right place, but he's also not a great passer of the ball and not a great reader of the game except from in the box as he showed scoring the late goals. As late as against Burnley he was awful as a starter in midfield and TH shouldn't start him again unless Uníted don't have anybody else available. If both Højlund and Martial should be injured he could start him as a good old box centreforward or as a sub if one of them are injured. It was Mourinho's bad idea to play him as a defensive midfielder and it was clearly a mistake although he's good a header defending corners etc.

JOSE: “who are you?” MCTOMINAY : “my name is Scott, I’m an attacking midfielder from the acade-“ JOSE: “shhh you’re over 6ft you’ll play in a deeper midfield role rotating with pogba. The end” MCTOMINAY: “but I-“ JOSE: “I said the end!”

Is smooth sailing a Samism?

10 minutes at the end of a game doesn’t mean your good if you have been consistently bad for years

oh my god. NOOOOOOOOOO

Nah I always knew he was more of a forward than midfielder or defender

Mctom was a striker, until Mourino changed him to midfielder.

McTominay is never going to be an all rounder maestro like Scholes, he is never going to be a decent CDM or CM. United must accept him to be a one trick pony in order to get the best of him. He can score goals and make the last pass and thats it thus fit for AM or CF.

ETH hears you. He is preparing Scottie for the SS role.

Mount and Bruno swapped positions at half time so looking at heat map for the whole game doesn't mean anything

The next Sir Kenny Dalglish

Westham want this guy... look where they are now... crazy

I don't think he has the positional awareness/discipline to be a starter no matter what position you pick. He's probably best as a sub when they need a goal and he has simple instructions to run at balls pinged into the box 🤷‍♂

Play McSauce as a box crashing midfielder.

What if he played on the right with Bruno in the 10?

Hes the Michael Keane of midfielders

Hope ETH sees this!

Mount > Bruno

For how long are we gonna continue to reference what Mount did years ago in a front 3? he was never good in any midfield role. He is not a midfielder, and he can be at fault for his own poor performances.

Yeah he is being played out of position constantly at United

I really think he can be their Soucek,he's brilliant with Scotland in that Box to Box role

Nope, other night was a fluke and should have been another abysmal result to match the performance for Man Utd and we're all here for it

Mount can’t be dropped. He’s the only one who runs in this team.

whens the fallout coming?

So 4-4-2 then

McTominay is massively under-rated. Insanely versatile, he plays CB in a back 3 for Scotland sometimes. DM for United most of his career with a 3rd and 2nd place finish playing almost all the games. When he is rarely given a license to go forward he scores goals.

So hes not a sh$t midfielder hes a mediocre Striker.. got it... in a normal universe shouldnt be any where near the Man U XI...

lol. lmao

He should start- midfield is terrible now- and he’s a great player. He has the heart and physically ability.

Not watching the video, just come to say no

Fans and opposition teams may not see it, but McTominay could be a poor man's version of Ramos in his Real Madrid days - always ready to make an impact

Mctominay isnt good enough stop gassing him up he wimt do nothings in the next 10 games he plays

the guy is a scrub it's embarrassing having someone like him aimlessly running around your midfield who let's be honest is Championship-level and he's playing for the biggest club in the world 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤯🤯🤯