Scott McTominay
Scott Francis McTominay (born 8 December 1996) is an English-born Scottish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Scotland national team.
![]() McTominay playing for Manchester United in 2017 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Scott Francis McTominay[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 8 December 1996||
Place of birth | Lancaster, England | ||
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Central midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Manchester United | ||
Number | 39 | ||
Youth career | |||
2002–2017 | Manchester United | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2017– | Manchester United | 78 | (10) |
National team‡ | |||
2018– | Scotland | 19 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:00, 6 February 2021 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:30, 18 November 2020 (UTC) |
McTominay is a graduate of the Manchester United youth academy and made his senior debut for the club in May 2017. Born in England, he qualified to play for Scotland through his Scottish-born father. He made his senior international debut in March 2018.
Club career
Youth career
McTominay was associated with the Manchester United academy from the age of five after attending the club's development centre in Preston.[4] Having played as a centre forward in the earlier years of his youth career, McTominay converted to a central midfield role under Warren Joyce.[5] He signed his first professional contract in July 2013.[6]
He made seven appearances for the Under-18s between 2013 and 2015, but struggled due to his small size.[7] McTominay missed most of the 2014–15 season due to injuries relating to growth and development issues, growing 14 inches within two years.[8]
McTominay struggled again during the 2015–16 season, making 11 appearances across the Under-19s and Under-21s, but commanded a place in the team the following season with three goals in 21 games prior to his senior call-up.[7]
2016–17 season
On 30 April 2017, McTominay was named on the substitutes bench for a match against Swansea City in the Premier League. He made his first Premier League appearance on 7 May, coming on as a substitute against Arsenal,[9] before starting Manchester United's final Premier League match of the season on 21 May, a 2–0 win at home to Crystal Palace.[10]
2017–18 season
Ahead of the 2017–18 season, McTominay was named as a member of Manchester United's touring party for their pre-season tour of the United States, as well as for matches against Vålerenga and Sampdoria.[11] In the match against Vålerenga on 30 July 2017, McTominay came on as a substitute for Paul Pogba just after the hour mark, and 10 minutes later, he scored his first senior goal for the club – the third in a 3–0 win.[12] McTominay made his first appearance of the season against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup on 20 September 2017, replacing Marcus Rashford in the 64th minute, in a 4–1 victory.[13] He made his European debut on 18 October, against Benfica, coming on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in injury-time, winning a free-kick and getting Luisão sent off before seeing out the 1–0 away win.[14] Two days later, McTominay signed a new contract with United, keeping him at the club until June 2021, with an option to extend for a further year.[15] He made his first start of the season on 24 October, in a 2–0 win over Swansea at Liberty Stadium in the EFL Cup fourth round.[16]
2018–19 season
On 21 January 2019, McTominay signed a contract extension, keeping him at United until 2023, with the option of another year.[17] Replacing the injured Nemanja Matić, his first start of real significance under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjær was against Liverpool on 24 February.[18] McTominay was praised by pundits and reporters for his contributions in Champions League matches against Paris Saint-Germain[19] and Barcelona.[20][21] He scored his first competitive goal for United on 2 April 2019 in what was his 41st appearance for the club as they lost 2–1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers.[22]
2019–20 season
McTominay scored his first goal at Old Trafford in a 1–1 draw against Arsenal on 30 September 2019.[23] On 27 October, McTominay scored United's 2,000th Premier League goal in a 3–1 victory against Norwich City at Carrow Road.[24] McTominay was credited with another goal, scored against Brighton on 10 November, after United successfully appealed to a Premier League panel that it should not be designated as an own goal by Davy Pröpper.[25]
McTominay suffered a knee ligament injury on 26 December, which prevented him from playing for two months.[26] He resumed full training on 19 February 2020.[26] On 27 February, McTominay scored his first European goal in United's UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match against Club Brugge, with United winning 5–0 (6–1 on aggregate).[27] On 8 March, he scored United's second goal in a 2–0 win at home to Manchester City, shooting into an empty net from 40 yards after a mistake by goalkeeper Ederson, to help United to their first league double over their city rivals in a decade.[28]
On 23 June 2020, McTominay signed a new contract with Manchester United set to keep him at the club until June 2025.[29]
2020–21 season
On 30 September 2020, McTominay scored his first goal of the season as United won 3–0 against Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup.[30] On 20 December 2020, he scored his first league goals of the season, when he scored a brace inside 3 minutes in a 6–2 home win against Leeds United.[31] This was the first time in the history of the Premier League that a player had scored twice in the opening three minutes of a game.[32]
On 9 January 2021, McTominay became the stand-in captain in the FA Cup game against Watford and subsequently scored the only goal of the game inside five minutes as United won 1–0.[33]
On 2 February 2021, McTominay scored a goal in Manchester United's Premier League record-equalling 9–0 home win against Southampton.[34] Four days later, he followed this up by scoring in a 3–3 draw against Everton, making this his highest scoring season so far with six goals.[35]
International career
McTominay was born in England but has Scottish ancestry through his father coming from Helensburgh.[36] McTominay attended training camps with the Scottish youth sides. In November 2017, McTominay told Scottish Football Association performance director Malky Mackay that he wanted to concentrate on securing a place in the Manchester United first-team.[37]
Speaking in February 2018, club manager José Mourinho suggested that new Scotland manager Alex McLeish should select McTominay "because it looks like England is missing him".[38] McTominay pledged his future to Scotland and was selected in their squad for two friendlies in March.[39][40]
Later that month, McTominay's grandfather revealed Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to represent Scotland. Manchester United academy coach Brian McClair explained "McLeish made a huge effort getting to Carrington to meet up with him, because it was in the middle of the bad weather that we had. He made it, put a case. Gareth Southgate sent him a text."[41] McTominay said of the conversation with McLeish, "He travelled a hell of a long way to come and speak with me and I have to thank him for that. The conversation we had was relatively simple. I wanted to play for Scotland and I always have done since I was a young boy and it was an incredibly proud moment for me when he did call me up and hopefully I can kick on and do well."[42]
On 23 March, McTominay was one of four players to be given their international debuts in McLeish's first game in charge.[43] He played the first 57 minutes in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Costa Rica before being replaced by Stuart Armstrong.[44] He made his first competitive appearance for Scotland in September 2018, as a 79th minute substitute for Callum McGregor in a 2–0 win against Albania.[45]
In November 2019 he was one of three Scotland players to withdraw from the national squad due to injury.[46]
For the international games played in September 2020, McTominay was used as a centre-back in a three-man defence.[47] The Times commented that McTominay had the physique needed for the position, but had struggled to adapt to the role.[47] He continued in this role during the October 2020 internationals, and the Daily Record said that there were indications that his play had improved.[48]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 6 February 2021[49]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Manchester United | 2016–17 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2017–18 | Premier League | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
2018–19 | Premier League | 16 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | — | 22 | 2 | ||
2019–20 | Premier League | 27 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | — | 37 | 5 | ||
2020–21 | Premier League | 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | — | 29 | 6 | ||
Career total | 78 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 113 | 13 |
- Appearances in the UEFA Champions League
- Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
References
- "Scott McTominay profile". Bild. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- "Scott McTominay". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- "Who is Scott McTominay? Manchester United player profile". Manchester Evening News. MEN Media. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- Marshall, Adam (30 April 2017). "Who is Scott McTominay?". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- "Scott McTominay". ManUtd.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- Short, Joe (30 April 2017). "Who is Scott McTominay? Everything you need to know about the Manchester United youngster". Express. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- "Scott McTominay". youthhawk.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- Luckhurst, Samuel (30 April 2017). "Who is Scott McTominay? Manchester United midfielder profile". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- Shemilt, Stephan (28 April 2017). "Manchester United 1–1 Swansea City". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- Hafez, Shamoon (21 May 2017). "Manchester United 2–0 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- Thompson, Gemma (9 July 2017). "Manchester United's Tour 2017 squad". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- Ganley, Joe (30 July 2017). "Valerenga 0 Manchester United 3". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- Johnston, Neil (20 September 2017). "Manchester United 4–1 Burton Albion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- Hafez, Shamoon (18 October 2017). "Benfica 0–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "Scott McTominay signs new contract at United". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- Pritchard, Dafydd (24 October 2017). "Swansea City 0–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- "Scott McTominay signs new Manchester United contract". Sky Sports. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- Mitten, Andy (1 March 2019). "Scott McTominay takes the chance to show his worth at Manchester United". Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- "Scott McTominay and Fred transform United's big weakness into their strength". The Independent. 7 March 2019.
- "Manchester United vs Barcelona: A celebration of Scott McTominay, the McTominator enjoying a McTomaissance". news.yahoo.com.
- Bicknell, Gareth (10 April 2019). "One Man Utd man will start more often after defeat to Barcelona, say ex-players". mirror.
- Emons, Michael (2 April 2019). "Wolves 2–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- "Scotland international and Manchester United star McTominay nets his first Old Trafford goal". NOT the old firm. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- Marshall, Adam (27 October 2019). "Man United hit 2000 Premier League goal landmark". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- Carney, Sam (13 November 2019). "McTominay Awarded Goal During Brighton Victory". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- Stone, Simon (19 February 2020). "Scott McTominay: Scotland midfielder returns to Manchester United training". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- Mathieson, Stuart (27 February 2020). "Manchester United clinically steamrollered Club Brugge 5-0 at Old Trafford to send us through to the last 16 of the Europa League". Manutd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- McNulty, Phil (8 March 2020). "Man Utd 2-0 Man City: Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay score in derby win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "McTominay signs long-term United contract". www.manutd.com.
- Dawkes, Phil (30 September 2020). "Brighton 0-3 Man Utd: Paul Pogba strikes as United reach Carabao Cup quarters". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- Howarth, Matthew (20 December 2020). "Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United: Hosts up to third after thumping win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- Wright, Chris (21 December 2020). "Quickfire! McTominay, Leao set new standards among football's fastest goals". ESPN. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- Stone, Simon (9 January 2021). "Man Utd 1-0 Watford: Scott McTominay heads early FA Cup winner at Old Trafford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- Stone, Simon (2 February 2021). "Man Utd beat nine-man Southampton 9-0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55867139
- "Alex McLeish: Scott McTominay can be a Scotland great – but fans shouldn't expect George Best". The National. 18 March 2019.
- "Scotland: Scott McTominay yet to decide on his international future". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- "Manchester United's Jose Mourinho says Scott McTominay deserves Scotland call". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Stone, Simon (4 March 2018). "Scott McTominay: Man Utd midfielder pledges international future to Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- "Six new faces in Alex McLeish's Scotland squad for March friendlies". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- "Choosing Scotland easy for McTominay". ESPN.com. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ""Scott McTominay Interview | Scotland v Costa Rica" Scotland National Team, 20 March 2018".
- "Scotland v Costa Rica | Match Report | Scottish FA". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- "Scotland 0–1 Costa Rica". BBC Sport. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- Scott McTominay at the Scottish Football Association
- "Scotland: Andy Robertson, Ryan Fraser and Scott McTominay withdraw from squad". 12 November 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- Forsyth, Paul (8 September 2020). "Talking points: Scott McTominay struggles in central defence". The Times. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- Jackson, Keith (12 October 2020). "Steve Clarke's Scotland may be hard to watch but they're grinding teams into submission - Keith Jackson's big match verdict". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- Scott McTominay at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- "Scott McTominay". EU-football.info. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- McNulty, Phil (19 May 2018). "Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
External links
- Scott McTominay at Soccerway
- Scott McTominay at Soccerbase
- Scott McTominay at the Scottish Football Association
- Profile at ManUtd.com
- Scott McTominay at National-Football-Teams.com