Paddy McNair has been considered a defender and midfielder during his career, but suggested that Sunderland only deem him to be the latter.
Sunderland’s Paddy McNair in action with Southampton’s Jack Stephens
Paddy McNair has suggested that he wants to establish himself as a midfielder despite emerging onto the scene in defence, and added that he has been trying to learn from all of the opponents he has come up against this season, the Shields Gazette reports.
As mentioned, McNair broke through at Manchester United with Louis van Gaal often deploying him in the back four. And while the Northern Irishman often impressed in the role, he insisted that his former boss was in a minority when it has come to deciding his best position.
“I think I’ll play midfield going forward, Sunderland signed me as a midfielder, I play there for Northern Ireland as well,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.
“I know I played a lot at centre-back under Louis van Gaal, that was his opinion of my best position, but the majority of coaches and managers think I’m better in midfield.”
While Black Cats fans may be somewhat wary about McNair establishing himself in midfield – although they signed him as a midfielder, they probably would not have seen too many examples of him playing in the middle of the park – he suggested that he has been studying other midfielders closely, regardless of what kind of player they are.
“I don’t really just want to be just a sitting player, sitting in the centre circle. I want to get about, when I was younger my hero was Steven Gerrard, a brilliant player,” he added.
“All the teams in the Premier League have brilliant midfield players so you just learn little bits. Even Burnley last week, Joey Barton, he’s completely different to say, Paul Pogba at United, so you just can see those other parts of the games that they do.”
Although McNair’s season has been plagued by injury, he did provide fans with a glimpse of the kind of impact he will be able to make going forward in the League Cup tie with Queens Park Rangers in September.
The 21-year-old scored both goals in the 2-1 win, and David Moyes will be hoping that upon his return from injury, he can make a similar impact on a much more regular basis given the side’s struggles to find goals this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
