Scott McTominay was a super sub for Manchester United in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Brentford. Coming on in the 87th minute, he scored a 93rd minute equaliser before a 97th minute winner.
Given his impressive goalscoring form for Scotland, it shouldn’t have come too much as a surprise, but contrary to rumours, McTominay didn’t used to play as a striker in the Reserve.
Just being alive in the box and being quick with it and not being on your heels or sleeping in the box [is key] – whenever there’s a chance for a goal to go in the back of the net you need to take it. I’ve always thought like that.
People always said: ‘You played as a striker as a kid.’ I never played as a striker. I played two games there with Warren Joyce because we had no striker. So, whenever I score a goal, people always say: ‘He used to be a striker, that’s why.’ I never used to be a striker! I’ve always been a midfield player, a number eight, so it is funny when you hear stuff like that.
McTominay has revealed that when he came on last Saturday he had set his mind on scoring.
My plan was to [score]. We had to make something happen and I think that was probably the direct message: ‘Go on and show yourself.’
I’ve been speaking to Darren Fletcher and Mitchell [van der Gaag] and the coaches and that’s what they say: ‘Whenever you get the opportunity, go and show yourself.’
That’s what I’ve been trying to do in training as well and show the manager that I’m capable of moments like that, and long may it continue in the future if we come together as a team and start performing how we know we can.
