Mourinho lauds midfield star McTominay

Lancaster's Manchester United star Scott McTominay was given some high praise from his manager Jose Mourinho on Sunday.
Manchester United's Scott McTominay. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.Manchester United's Scott McTominay. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Manchester United's Scott McTominay. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

The midfielder was handed the task of keeping Chelsea dangerman Eden Hazard quiet when the two teams clashed at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old certainly completed the job asked of him and more as United ran out 2-1 winners.

Romelu Lukaku equalised for the home side after 35 minutes after Willian had given the visitors the lead three minutes earlier. Jess Lingard hit the winner with 15 minutes to go.

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McTominay, who has made 15 appearances so far this season, has been earning plenty of praise for his performances for the Red Devils in recent weeks and he could be set for some more appearances in the coming games due to Ander Herrera’s injury setback.

Mourinho said: “I think he’s a fantastic player – a player that is what I call the modern midfield player, which in the end is a bit of what the top midfield players of the past were.

“They can do everything. The only thing he is not doing yet is scoring goals, which he can. But because I’m giving him different jobs, he’s not yet free to do that.

“We are starting from the basics and the basics he’s doing wonderfully well. I think he can also score goals – he has that talent. In pre-season, we understood that.

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“But we are adapting him to his multi-functionality and he’s doing fantastic jobs for us, like he did in Sevilla against Ever Banega and today against Eden, so I’m really happy with the player.”

Meanwhile, McTominay is believed to be receiving overtures from Scotland with regards to his international future.

Although born and bred in the city, McTominay’ can qualify to play Scotland through his Glasweigan father and it is believed that new boss Alex McLeish is exploring the possibility.

It has emerged that the player turned down the chance of a cap in Malky Malkay’s squad for a friendly against Holland in November and McLeish now wants to look the youngster in the eye to determine whether or not McTominay’s heart would be in it.