Ally McCoist absolutely loved Manchester United star’s performance, such ‘a threat’ vs Chelsea

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Scotland legend Ally McCoist was full of praise for Manchester United matchwinner Scott McTominay as he scored twice in Wednesday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea.

Right, own up. Who on earth decided that Scott McTominay should be a defensive midfielder?

To think, all that time he lumbered through games in an ill-fitting deep-lying role could have been far better spent crashing into the penalty box and converting like a seasoned number nine. Against Chelsea, McTominay did his best Frank Lampard impression, breaking into the area to devastating effect while taking his tally to seven goals for Manchester United and Scotland in 2023/24.

This is already his best-ever scoring season in the Premier League.

And, while Antony, Sofyan Amrabat, Alejandro Garnacho and the fabulous Bruno Fernandes posted stand-out displays of their own, there was only one candidate for the Man of the Match award as far as McCoist is concerned.

Scott McTominay inspires Manchester United win

“Five attempts, two goals. He could easily have had a hat trick!,” McCoist says of his fellow Scot, McTomninay denied twice by Robert Sanchez in the first-half and skewing wide with a maiden senior treble at his mercy in the second (Amazon Prime).

“(The winner is) just a great goal. What a threat he is. He’s a forward midfield player with bags of goals in him. Great goal. That man deserves it. Five serious attempts at goal after 70 mins and two goals.

“There’s a willingness and desire to run that extra yard, get by people and gamble. (McTominay had a) terrific evening.”

Seven goals this season for United and Scotland

The challenge for Ten Hag now is to find a way to maximise McTominay’s goalscoring strengths while minimising his weaknesses. His tendency to go missing in open play and his lack of efficiency in a possession-based set-up.

Perhaps the solution could be utilising Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, more a number eight than a number ten. Amrabat’s willingness to mop up and set the tone in behind, meanwhile, gave McTominay the freedom he needed to burst forward and do what he does best.