Scott McTominay (Part 1)

Scott McTominay is a talented midfielder known for his contributions to Manchester United and the Scotland national team. He emerged from Manchester United's youth academy and made his senior debut for the club in May 2017. Since then, he has become a key player for Manchester United, accumulating over 200 appearances and winning the EFL Cup with the club.
Despite being born in England, McTominay is eligible to represent Scotland due to his father's Scottish heritage from Helensburgh. He made his senior international debut for Scotland in March 2018 and has since been a regular member of the national team. McTominay played a significant role in Scotland's campaign at UEFA Euro 2020, showcasing his talents on the international stage.


With his versatility, work rate, and technical abilities, McTominay continues to be an integral part of both Manchester United and the Scotland national team, earning praise for his performances on the field.
Scott McTominay's journey through the Manchester United academy was marked by perseverance and adaptability. Joining the club's development center in Preston at the age of five, McTominay quickly became associated with Manchester United's youth system. Despite initially being considered a central midfielder, he transitioned to playing in attack due to the lack of a traditional center forward in the reserve team.


Signing his first professional contract with Manchester United in July 2013, McTominay faced challenges during his early years in the academy. He struggled with injuries and growth-related issues during the 2014-2015 season, experiencing significant physical growth that affected his playing time. However, he continued to work hard and overcame these obstacles.
In the following seasons, McTominay's determination paid off as he gradually earned his place in the team. Despite facing challenges, he showcased his talent and resilience, scoring three goals in 21 games during the 2016-2017 season before receiving his senior call-up. His journey through the academy reflects his tenacity and commitment to success.


Scott McTominay achieved a significant milestone in his career when he was named on the substitutes bench for Manchester United's match against Swansea City in the Premier League. Just a week later, on May 7, he made his Premier League debut, coming on as a substitute in a match against Arsenal. This marked his official entry into top-flight English football.
McTominay's progress continued as he earned a start in Manchester United's final Premier League match of the season on May 21, 2017. In this game, a 2–0 victory against Crystal Palace, he was given the opportunity to showcase his talent from the opening whistle, further solidifying his place in the senior squad. These early appearances provided valuable experience for McTominay as he embarked on his professional journey with Manchester United.


Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Scott McTominay's promising performances earned him a spot in Manchester United's touring party for their pre-season tour of the United States. Additionally, he was included in the squad for matches against Vålerenga and Sampdoria.
During the match against Vålerenga on July 30, 2017, McTominay made a significant impact after coming on as a substitute for Paul Pogba. Just 10 minutes later, he scored his first senior goal for Manchester United, contributing to a 3–0 victory.
McTominay continued to feature in various competitions for Manchester United throughout the season. He made his first appearance of the campaign against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup on September 20, 2017, replacing Marcus Rashford in the 64th minute during a 4–1 victory.


His European debut came on October 18, 2017, against Benfica, where he entered the match in injury-time and played a crucial role in securing a 1–0 away win. Just two days later, McTominay extended his stay at Manchester United by signing a new contract, which would keep him at the club until June 2021, with an option to extend for a further year.
McTominay's contributions continued to grow as he earned his first start of the season on October 24, 2017, in a 2–0 win over Swansea at Liberty Stadium in the EFL Cup fourth round. These early experiences further established McTominay as a promising talent within the Manchester United squad.


Scott McTominay committed his future to Manchester United by signing a contract extension, which bound him to the club until 2023, with the option for an additional year. This extension signaled the club's faith in his potential and contribution to the team's future.
Under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, McTominay began to establish himself as a key player in the Manchester United squad. One of his notable starts came on February 24, 2019, against Liverpool, where he replaced the injured Nemanja Matić. Despite the pressure of facing a fierce rival, McTominay showcased his abilities on the pitch.
Throughout the UEFA Champions League campaign, McTominay received praise from pundits and reporters for his performances, particularly in matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. His contributions were instrumental in helping Manchester United compete against some of Europe's top clubs.


McTominay achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first competitive goal for Manchester United. This goal came in his 41st appearance for the club, although it occurred in a 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite the result, McTominay's goal demonstrated his growing influence and contribution to the team's efforts on the field. Scott McTominay marked a memorable moment by scoring his first goal at Old Trafford in a 1–1 draw against Arsenal. This goal was a significant milestone in his career and endeared him further to the Manchester United faithful.
Later, on October 27, McTominay etched his name in Manchester United's history by scoring the club's 2,000th Premier League goal in a 3–1 victory against Norwich City at Carrow Road. This accomplishment added to his growing reputation as a key player for the team.
In a match against Brighton on November 10, McTominay was initially credited with another goal after United successfully appealed to a Premier League panel. The decision overturned the goal being designated as an own goal by Davy Pröpper, further highlighting McTominay's impact on the pitch.


However, McTominay faced a setback when he suffered a knee ligament injury on December 26, 2019, which sidelined him for two months. Despite this setback, he showed resilience and determination to return to full training on February 19, 2020.
McTominay continued to make significant contributions upon his return. On February 27, 2020, he scored his first European goal for Manchester United in a UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match against Club Brugge, contributing to United's 5–0 victory. Additionally, on March 8, he played a crucial role in United's 2–0 win against Manchester City, scoring a remarkable goal from 40 yards after a mistake by goalkeeper Ederson. This victory marked United's first league double over their city rivals in a decade.


Recognizing his importance to the team, Manchester United rewarded McTominay with a new contract on June 23, 2020, extending his stay at the club until June 2025. This contract extension reflected the club's confidence in his abilities and commitment to his development as a player.

References

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