Scott: Erik has the personal touch

McTominay has been a key man for Ten Hag in recent weeks, starting each of United’s last five league games, despite the August arrival of Casemiro meaning there’s increased competition for his position. The Brazilian started in the 3-2 Europa League win at Omonia Nicosia, with Scott coming off the bench in the 82nd minute.

The 6-3 defeat at Manchester City beforehand was undoubtedly a setback for the squad as a whole but Scott had impressed as a holding midfielder in each of the Reds’ previous four top-flight outings, with all of them ending in victories.

The understanding between manager and player is something Scott is feeling not just on the pitch but off it too and he told us about the chats the pair have shared, both about football and life away from the game.

“Obviously, you have conversations like that [about his role in the team] which are kept in-house,” McTominay revealed to club media.

“On tour [in Thailand and Australia], he asked me about my family and how they were and how they’re getting on and that was a real good touch that because I felt like I could then trust him, and want to play for him and be in a team with him, where he’s pushing me.

“I obviously want to be making sure I’m doing my best for him because he’s got a real understanding about my personal life as well, which is massive in terms of a player. I’ve never really properly had that before.

“[I’ve had] other bits from other coaches but I feel like he’s really, really good in that aspect.”

Scott also singled out three members of Erik’s backroom staff for praise and bringing energy into the group since the summer.

“There’s a lot of change, obviously,” he added. “I think it’s clear to notice that on the pitch, in terms of the way we set up and the different ideas the manager has got.

“In terms of man-management as well, with the other staff – Mitchell [van der Gaag], Darren Fletcher, the manager himself – we’ve got a real good group there.

“Steve McClaren is literally one of the best guys you can have in football because he keeps everybody alive, he keeps everyone together and that is so good for players, in boosting their confidence.

“I feel like some players needed that at the end of last season. They needed lifting and that energy bringing into the group and they’ve most definitely done that.”

Ten Hag won the Premier League’s Manager of the Month prize for September – the first United boss to do so since January 2019 - and the Dutchman was keen to be pictured with his coaches and analysts when collecting the award.

Erik was asked about this prior to the trip to Manchester City, saying: 'It’s never one in football, there are a lot of people' and Scott agreed that it’s a real team effort, touching upon some of the unseen work that go on behind the scenes.

“It always is the collective as a staff. Everyone has got their own individual roles and they’re all helping us individually.

“The manager has been through clips with me, we’ve had other coaches go through clips with other players and stuff like that. It’s important that everyone is really doing their job and the staff are brilliant.

“Whenever the staff are really dialled in, it makes the players even more focused as it makes them want to do their job as well as they’re doing theirs.”