Scott explains reason for United's recent form

McTominay stood out in back-to-back wins for Steve Clarke’s side over Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland, to put the Scots in pole position for promotion from UEFA Nations League B1.

Scott was disappointed to miss the 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Krakow - which secured top spot in the group - through suspension.

However, that gave him extra time to prepare for Sunday’s Manchester derby, as United look to continue our good run of form in the Premier League.

“Whenever you go away you’ve always got half an eye on coming back and helping the team here so no matter where you’re playing, you always want to give your best,” he told club media on Friday.

“That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing over the last six to eight weeks, whenever we started back this season, and we just want to keep it going.”

The Reds have risen from bottom of the league to fifth with four straight victories, including successes over rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.

A further marker could be put down this weekend, in the 188th competitive clash with our neighbours, and Scott was keen to put recent momentum down to the squad as a whole and not just the 11 starters.

“For us, it was a real tough start,” he continued. “We knew that and now we’ve got real good players and a real good group in terms of everyone together and fighting for each other and that real solidity, knowing we can all rely on each other.

“The lads on the bench, whoever that may be – it could be myself, it could be anybody – they know their role when they come to the pitch and they’re just as important as the boys who are playing. The manager has reiterated that numerous amounts of times.

“There have been many games when players have come off the bench. Arsenal was a great example, Liverpool.

“They’ve made a big, big difference and it’s helped the lads who have started the game a lot.”

McTominay has completed the full 90 minutes in each of those four league wins, despite claims in some quarters that new signing Casemiro would arrive and come straight into the midfield as first choice.

Either way, Scott is glad to have the competition in the middle of the park and says no-one can rest on their laurels in terms of just assuming they will get time on the pitch, and that's how Erik ten Hag wants it.

“For sure, I would say the competition is healthy. It’s important. You need that in terms of pushing each other and stuff like that.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the team who has got a plain sailing ride to the end of the season when they know they’re going to play all the time or be one of the first names on the team sheet. You have to work for your place.

“That’s the way the manager produces great teams and for us we wanted to buy into that.”