“His performance on Friday clearly shows that he is doing more harm than good to the chemistry of the team. His gameplay was sloppy and was quite disappointing . Keep him on the bench now before it’s too late” – This is according to Manchester United legend Roy Keane as claims that Manchester United should consider ‘shelving’ their 5/10 rated player who had fewer touches than Onana during the first Premier League match against Fulham.
Manchester United’s Premier League season has come to an end, wrapping up a challenging journey for Erik ten Hag and his squad. The Dutch manager has steered the team through tough periods, but ultimately, their efforts fell short of expectations.
The team could still have a chance for redemption with the upcoming FA Cup final against their fierce rivals, Manchester City, next weekend at Wembley. However, before focusing on that, United will have to reflect on their disappointing Premier League finish, where they are currently eighth with 60 points, trailing eight points behind the top four and a massive 31 points behind City.
What’s next for United? Should Erik ten Hag’s position be reconsidered? While some may suggest a change, it could be wiser to wait and see how the summer transfer window unfolds under the new INEOS ownership. United has spent vast sums on players in the past, so one transfer window may not fix all their issues, but it’s possible that significant improvements could be made under fresh leadership.
Before any summer changes, though, the immediate focus will be on the FA Cup final. The squad selection for the match will be intriguing, with one player who could be left out being Scott McTominay.
### Why McTominay Should Be Dropped
McTominay’s season at Old Trafford has been as inconsistent as the team’s overall performance. Last summer, there were rumors linking him with a move to West Ham, but he stayed at Manchester United and delivered a decent season considering the circumstances.
With 10 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, McTominay has shown flashes of his potential, contributing a solid goal tally, especially considering he has netted just 29 career goals at the age of 27. However, his performances have often been inconsistent, and at times, he hasn’t made the desired impact on the pitch.
Even in United’s 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, McTominay’s performance left much to be desired. Popular club pundit Mark Goldbridge criticized his contribution, claiming the midfielder “offered nothing” in the game. Although some may see this as a harsh judgment, McTominay’s recent form has been concerning.
During that match, McTominay missed a critical scoring opportunity in the first half, squandering one of United’s best chances. Bruno Fernandes set him up with a perfect pass, but McTominay’s poor control and wide shot wasted the opportunity from a promising position inside the box.
Despite having moments in more advanced attacking roles this season, McTominay’s miss reflected his lackluster performance. Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst rated him a mere 5/10, calling out his missed chance as a significant waste.
The statistics also tell a disappointing story. McTominay managed only 36 touches, which was fewer than goalkeeper Andre Onana, even though he played the full 90 minutes. He also failed to make any key passes, dribbles, or interceptions, and recorded just one tackle. While his 88% pass accuracy is decent, it does little to mask a generally ineffective display.
With the FA Cup final on the horizon, Ten Hag has crucial decisions to make regarding his lineup. Rasmus Hojlund made an impact off the bench with a goal and may push for a starting spot, while Marcus Rashford is also unlikely to be excluded from such a high-stakes match. There may even be discussions about using Casemiro in a more advanced role.
Given McTominay’s recent form, he should be concerned about his place in the team. His performance against Brighton suggests that he may not be the best choice to start at Wembley on Saturday.
