Manchester United’s Premier League campaign has finally drawn to a close after a turbulent season under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman faced numerous challenges throughout the year, but despite his efforts, he was unable to steer the club to a more successful finish.
There may still be a chance for redemption if they can overcome Manchester City in the upcoming FA Cup final at Wembley. However, their Premier League season has ended in disappointment, as they currently sit in eighth place with 60 points—far from the top four and a staggering 31 points behind City.
With this underwhelming finish, questions arise about the next steps. Should Ten Hag be replaced? While a managerial change is possible, it may be wise to see what impact the INEOS-led leadership can bring over the summer. Manchester United have spent heavily in previous transfer windows, and while a single summer won’t fix all their issues, the new regime could lay the groundwork for progress.
Before focusing on squad reinforcements, however, all attention turns to Wembley. The lineup for the final will be crucial, and one player who might not deserve a starting spot is Scott McTominay.
The Scottish midfielder has had an inconsistent season, much like the team itself. Last summer, he was linked with a move to West Ham, but he ended up staying and delivering a decent campaign under the circumstances. Scoring 10 goals in 42 appearances is a respectable return, particularly for a player who has netted just 29 senior goals by the age of 27. However, despite these numbers, his performances have often fluctuated, and there have been matches where he struggled to make an impact.
His latest outing against Brighton, despite United securing a 2-0 win, was one such example. Pundit Mark Goldbridge criticized his display, saying he contributed “nothing” in midfield. While this might seem harsh, his performance in the latter part of the season has been far from convincing.
Against Brighton, McTominay squandered a great opportunity in the first half, failing to capitalize on an excellent setup from Bruno Fernandes. His poor control and wayward shot summed up his struggles on the day. Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst gave him a 5/10 rating, highlighting his wasted chance inside the penalty box.
A deeper look at the stats paints a concerning picture. McTominay had just 36 touches of the ball—17 fewer than goalkeeper Andre Onana—despite playing the full 90 minutes. He also failed to register a key pass, did not attempt a single dribble, and contributed just one tackle with no interceptions. While his 88% pass accuracy was decent, his overall impact on the game was minimal.
With the FA Cup final looming, Ten Hag has several crucial decisions to make. Rasmus Hojlund, who scored after coming off the bench, could push for a starting role, while Marcus Rashford’s inclusion remains a dilemma. There is also the possibility of Casemiro being deployed in a more advanced role once again.
McTominay should be concerned about his place in the starting XI. His recent performances suggest that he may not be the best option for such a high-stakes match at Wembley.
