Scott McTominay was one of the shoe-ins to start for Manchester United against Burnley last night. The midfielder was fully rested up after the World Cup and started both friendly matches in Spain.
With United coming up against a resilient and confident Burnley side, top of the Championship, there was a chance the Red Devils could have been overrun by a sharper side.
Not with Erik ten Hag in charge, and not with Scott McTominay in midfield.
There was question before kick-off whether he would play in defence, with Harry Maguire ill. This role was covered by Casemiro, who helped to keep a clean sheet.
READ: United Player Ratings v Burnley
McTominay gives Manchester United just what team needed
McTominay ensured United won the battle in midfield, and this played a crucial role in the team’s victory.
United won the game 2-0 with a goal in each half from Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford. McTominay helped with the team’s second.
McTominay won possession in his own half, playing the ball into Marcus Rashford in the process, who then took the ball up the pitch with a solo run and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
During the course of the match, McTominay won five out of five tackles, delivering the battling display Erik ten Hag wants from his players.
Ten Hag demands an aggressive and proactive approach from his team and McTominay responded well.
The Scot won seven of 11 duels, blocked one shot, made two clearances, and won the one aerial battle he competed for.
It was important United set the tone with a win after the World Cup break, and this was an ideal warm-up game.
United are into the last eight of the Carabao Cup and McTominay’s role should not be under-estimated, even though Marcus Rashford will rightly take the plaudits.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
