National team manager believes he knows how to get the best out of Man United star

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke believes he knows how to get the best out of Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Scott McTominay’s future at Manchester United looked far from certain when the summer transfer window slammed shut in September.

West Ham United had a £30 million offer for the 26-year-old midfielder rejected according to the Manchester Evening News but the academy graduate remained at the club.

Since then, however, the midfielder has exploded into life netting vital goals not just for United, but Scotland too. However, he has struggled for consistency recently and has led to fans becoming frustrated with the midfielder.

Clarke on McTominay

One man who may have to take the majority of the credit for the midfielder’s emergence as a goalscoring midfielder is Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

In an inspired decision, the former West Brom manager pushed McTominay further forward and to good effect as the midfielder has netted seven times for his national team in 2023.

“Obviously I would be lying if I expected it,” Clarke explained to Sky Sports when asked about McTominay’s goalscoring.

“We had a chat with Scott before the campaign started, tweaked his position and allowed him a bit more freedom to get forward on the pitch and suddenly he was scoring goals.

“It was great because we are a team who rely quite a lot on goals from other positions. The way we set up is for the striker to help the midfielders score goals … but it was good for Scotty he had a really good campaign.

“I think his performances for Scotland turned a few heads at Manchester United and credit to Scott, he has got back into the Man United squad as a first pick.”

McTominay remains a problem

Despite the midfielder’s goalscoring exploits for both club and country this season, the Scotsman really struggled in the middle of the park against West Ham United.

Kobbie Mainoo was left isolated a lot and it was the teenager’s mistake that led to the Hammers doubling their lead and taking the game away from the Red Devils.

He is a brilliant goalscoring option, that is without a doubt, but his abilities on the ball make him a liability at times, he needs to step up for United.