Unhappy Manchester United fans have blasted a bold and “disrespectful” comparison made between Scott McTominay and Darren Fletcher after the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
McTominay was the man of the hour at Old Trafford after he replaced Sofyan Amrabat late in the second half and scored a superb injury-time brace for United.
Mathias Jensen fired Brentford into a shock first-half lead after a calamitous situation at the back for United, with Casemiro widely blasted by fans for his mistakes.
But it was McTominay’s sensational heroics that broke the deadlock late on and ensured a vital three points for Erik ten Hag’s men before the international break.
McTominay was widely linked with a move away from United in the summer and even West Ham tabled a £30m offer for him, only for it to be rejected.
Despite being in the form of his life for his country, the 26-year-old United midfielder has been struggling for regular first-team minutes under Ten Hag this season.
READ MORE: Ian Wright hails ‘top quality’ Manchester United star after Brentford win
United fans react to Mitchell’s McTominay claim
Exeter City player Demetri Mitchell caused quite a stir on social media after he described McTominay as a “modern-day” equivalent to United fan-favourite Fletcher.
The former United wonderkid’s post on X, formerly known as Twitter, led to fans slamming his “lazy comparison” and “insulting” remarks towards Fletcher.
“This is the most insulting thing anyone has ever said about Darren Fletcher,” one fan said.
Someone else added: “Very disrespectful to Darren Fletcher.”
“Please respect Darren Fletcher,” a third posted.
Another reacted: “I love Scott but this is disrespectful to Darren.”
While one X, AKA Twitter, user wrote: “Let’s not underrated [sic] Darren Fletcher and overrate McTominay now, please.”
And a sixth tweeted: “Someone who clearly didn’t watch Darren Fletcher. This is so disrespectful. Only comparison between the two is they’re both Scottish.”
A seventh commented: “Such a lazy comparison. [McTominay] is decent and has his uses but will never be a starter for us. Fletcher was absolutely crucial for us at times and was a huge miss in the 2009 [Champions League final].”
McTominay’s future at United
McTominay is still some distance off from being compared with Fletcher, especially as the United man needs to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI first.
His cameo against Brentford could be the springboard necessary for him to play in a more aggressive attacking role for United that Ten Hag desperately needs.
There’s a reason why Fletcher is held in such high regard by United fans, with the retired Scottish midfielder putting in quite the shift in Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams.
McTominay’s performance against Brentford rightfully caught Ten Hag’s eye and the United boss is open to the idea of playing him in a more advanced role.
“Yes, of course. That’s why he’s [McTominay] here,” Ten Hag said after the match (via The Daily Mirror).
“He is one of our midfield players and yeah, he can make the [difference in the] boxes, you see.
“Against Burnley he played and then he should have played against Crystal Palace, but then he was ill and then he comes out of the team and then others take over.
“But he has, as everyone [does], to fight for his position. But of course, it helps when you when you contribute like this afternoon.”
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