Erik ten Hag attributes Scott McTominay’s goal-scoring prowess to his intuitive instincts, following the Scottish international’s two crucial goals in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
McTominay found the net twice, sandwiching Cole Palmer’s equalizer, elevating his Premier League goal tally to a personal best of five for the season. The double triumph propelled the Red Devils to sixth place, just three points behind local rivals Manchester City.
Reflecting on McTominay’s performance, Ten Hag commented, “He has the skills. When he is arriving, he has the skills to arrive at the right moment; he has the instinct, and then it is a very good finish.”
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Discussing the tactical dynamics, Ten Hag emphasized the team’s strategic planning, mentioning, “Our game plan is often that we want him to be high. The team has to make it happen that he can go high, come into positions around a striker, and make runs.”
Acknowledging McTominay’s ability to read the game, Ten Hag highlighted, “He has a very good instinct when to arrive and a very good finish, and the team has to make sure we bring the ball with him.”
The Dutch manager emphasized the importance of organizational aspects, stating, “It’s a matter of organization, getting players in the right positions. Our job is to get him and other players in their best skills and attributes by positioning individuals correctly on the pitch.”
McTominay’s recent prominence in the starting XI has been facilitated by injuries to key players, including Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Mason Mount. Partnering with Sofyan Amrabat in central midfield on Wednesday night, McTominay played a pivotal role in securing the win, contributing to United’s climb in the league standings.
Bruno Fernandes had an early penalty saved, but McTominay’s impressive control led to his first goal in the 19th minute, followed by a headed goal from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross in the second half. With seven goals in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualification campaign, McTominay has emerged as a vital contributor for both club and country.