Scott McTominay has broken silence on the conversation he had with Erik ten Hag before he came on as a substitute to net twice against Brentford.
Manchester United looked on course to fall to yet another defeat at the hands of the Bees at Old Trafford courtesy of Mathias Jensen’s calamitous opener.
McTominay salvages late win
With seconds ticking away and fans losing hope, Ten Hag turned to McTominay to try and rescue the match in the 87th minute. The Scotsman has found opportunities hard to come by so far this season, playing just 183 minutes of Premier League football.
But the Dutch coach’s gamble paid off big time. The midfielder had only been on the pitch for six minutes when some smart play from Alejandro Garnacho down the left-hand side led to a cutback which found Diogo Dalot on the edge of the box. The Portuguese defender unleashed a first-time effort which was spilled by the keeper, with McTominay on his toes to poke the rebound in.
McTominay Discoses What Ten Hag Told Him Before
However,The Mirrorreports that the introduction of McTominay deep in the second half became the difference maker, with the midfielder netting a brace to steer his side to victory.
McTominay, who came close to leaving United in the summer, represented Ten Hag’s last throw of the dice when he was subbed on with three minutes of normal time remaining.
What Ten Hag told McTominay
Speaking after the match, the United academy graduate said the Dutchman told him to go on and score.
“It was very loud, the fans were roaring us on so I couldn’t hear fully,”Metro UKquoted McTominay saying when asked what tactical direction he received from his manager.
“He probably said something like: ‘Go on and score,’ which is what I did,” he added.
What next for United?
Victory for United moves them up to 10th in the table, with just four points separating them and fourth-place Liverpool. However, with the Reds having a game in hand, it only underlines how much work Ten Hag and his squad have ahead of them.
They will have to hit the ground running when club football returns from the international break. United travel to Sheffield United on Saturday 21st October in their next league game, with three points at Bramall Lane essential.