When Erik ten Hag decided to take off Marcus Rashford for Scott McTominay when Manchester United were level with Aston Villa on Sunday, it probably would have raised a few eyebrows.
But when the Manchester United midfielder was wheeling away in celebration and scoring a thunderous header to win the game for his side, it was another moment to savour for the 27-year-old.
Michael Owen spoke highly of Scott McTominay and how ‘he has got attributes that you can’t teach’, but even he has been taken aback by his qualities, as he told Premier League Productions (12/02/24 at 11:10 pm).
The former England striker admitted that Erik ten Hag now faces a ‘fascinating conundrum’ with the Manchester United academy product and how he has ‘bust into my mind’, in regards to starting him in the team.
From Brentford to Villa Park, that’s yet another winning goal from the previously unfancied Scott McTominay, who is now sending out a message to the rest of his teammates.
It’s not going to be easy, but it’s an away clash at Luton Town for Manchester United on Sunday and a big call has to be made, in regards to who starts in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes wears the armband, so it’s not going to be him, whilst the manager wouldn’t drop a senior figure like Casemiro, but does the rising star Kobbie Mainoo deserve to be benched? Absolutely not.
But that’s where the man in the Old Trafford dugout is paid the big money, with Michael Owen surprised by what he has been seeing from Scott McTominay.
Scott McTominay’s goal against Aston Villa
“He has got attributes that you can’t really teach,” said Owen. “His fitness levels, his size, his strength and the way he marauds forward.
“It’s a fascinating conundrum because he has almost burst into my mind now and I am thinking ‘wow, you have to find a place for this type of player’. I never had him down by this type of player before, this real marauding midfielder.
“With his size and knack of scoring goals, you can only ignore that for so long. Okay, he might not get ahead of Bruno or Casemiro, at the moment.
“But if he keeps on doing what he is doing, then you are going to have to find a role in the team for that type of player, if he keeps improving, then he can be absolutely anything.”
Manchester United open the Champions League door
If Man United had lost at Villa Park, then they would have been 11 points behind a Champions League spot, but they are now only six behind.
Tottenham lead that charge in fourth, with the London club, just like Aston Villa and Man United, due to play the top three during the coming months, added with their trip to the Midlands.
What is also a boost for the likes of Spurs and Man United is another crushing injury news for Villa, with star midfielder Boubacar Kamara suffering a significant knee injury and he is now set to miss the rest of the season.
That’s three ACL injuries Villa have suffered this term and this one may prove to be the final nail in the coffin, regarding their hopes of a top-four finish.
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