Why McTominay's a must on Ole's teamsheet
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has paid Scott McTominay the ultimate double compliment.
The boss insists the United Academy product would have slotted comfortably into one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophy-winning squads, and admits he is now nearly immune from the axe when it comes to current team selections.
“You can almost say he’s undroppable at the moment,” declared Ole.
McTominay was injured during the Partizan Belgrade game in the Europa League game last month and missed the next three matches with an ankle problem. Solskjaer revealed his Scotland international only began training 24 hours before being plunged back into the team for the 2-1 win against Spurs.
The boss said, “There was no chance I wasn’t going to try to push him through for this game. [We needed him] because of the physical presence and the leadership he gives us in midfield. He also releases Fred, who was excellent too, top class. They’re a good partnership.
“Scott trained yesterday (Tuesday) and that was just a light session with the reserves. He’s a tough boy and there is no chance he is going to say 'no thanks' to playing if he felt okay. It's the first time I have really, really pushed players who haven’t had the foundation, but he is so fit anyway.”
It's clear that McTominay has grown into a key figure for Solskjaer.
“More or less the first game or the first big game he played for me was against Liverpool last year and he was absolutely top class,” recalled the manager.
"You didn’t expect anything else because you see a young boy doing everything right every single day and he prepares properly. They’re the boys you want to have in your team.
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“He’s so professional, he’s not tainted by any superstardom or fame, he just wants to become the best footballer he can be. They're the people I want in this club.
“He would have suited the squad when I played. He’d fit right in that squad because he’s come through the Academy. He’s one of ours and he knows what Man United needs.”
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