McTominay: I want to help as much as I can

Rasmus Hojlund’s first half goal put the Reds ahead at Villa Park, before Douglas Luiz cancelled out that lead midway through the second half.

McTominay entered the fray in the 73rd minute, and his bullet header 13 minutes after his introduction was ultimately what delivered all three points for United.

The Scotland international spoke to Sky Sports after the final whistle as he discussed trying to make a difference whenever and however he can, every time he steps on to the pitch for the Reds.

“I just feel as long as I’m fit and healthy to come onto the pitch, I can perform,” the midfielder said after his 86th-minute winner.

“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. I don’t want to take it too personal if I’m not playing. I just want to come on and give my best for this club and I always have done.

"I want to keep helping the team as much as I can and long may that continue.”

For what was his eighth goal of the season so far, McTominay rose highest in the penalty area to meet Diogo Dalot’s inviting cross from the right.

“It was an unbelievable cross, to be fair," Scott continued. "It was whipped with a lot of pace and I just needed to let it hit my head, make sure I got it on target and then it was a goal. Full credit to the boys, attacking-wise, as well, we created some good chances that might go unnoticed.”

But Scott also reserved praise for the defence that kept a vibrant Villa attack at bay for much of the contest; sufficiently so to secure a vital win.

“It’s a credit to the lads at the back, who were immense, especially Harry [Maguire] and Raphael [Varane]. [A] top-level performance and a deserved win in the end.”

The result was a third consecutive Premier League victory for United after recent wins over Wolves and West Ham earlier in February, moving the Reds within six points of the top four and now only five points behind fifth-placed Villa, too.

McTominay, though, is adamant that United's motivation now must be maintaining pressure on those above them by continuing to perform.

“Every game that you win is massive for taking steps forward, more confidence for the boys. The strikers are getting more goals now, like we’ve seen, and we’re picking up more points.

“[It's] all positive and we’ve got to keep repeating it now, that’s what it’s about at this club, repeating it and not getting carried away when we might win a few in a row. We can’t take our foot off the gas and that’s it.”