Scott McTominay is one of the few first-team regulars at Manchester United who was handed the opportunity to recharge his batteries in December as he did not take part in this winter’s World Cup.
Out of the eleven players Erik ten Hag has started the most, McTominay and David de Gea were the only players not involved in Qatar.
United were one of the most-represented clubs at the latest edition of the storied tournament and it was highly likely that the Reds would be welcoming a World Champion back to the club ahead of this week’s resumption.
And that has proven to be the case, with Lisandro Martinez’s Argentina impressing in the knockout stages to narrowly steal the crown from France in the final on penalties.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup game against Burnley, McTominay has opened up on a conversation he had with Martinez after Argentina’s historic triumph in Qatar.
“Success will always be winning trophies and that’s the most important thing at this football club,” McTominay is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website when asked about the ambition of winning trophies.
“With the manager that we’ve got now we’ve got a really good opportunity to start that journey, especially this year.
“We’ve got a really good chance to implement ourselves and really start pushing. I feel like this is the year where we can go for it and that’s firmly reiterated by all the coaches in the squad. They firmly believe that.
“I messaged Lisandro the other day and said congratulations and he said ‘we go for the next one’. He’s just won a World Cup, so that shows the mentality that is in the group.”
Martinez is now set for at least one week’s rest before he links up with the rest of the squad for the remainder of this season, with United hoping to end their five-year-long trophy drought.
Raphael Varane, who played in the final, will also miss the first couple of games due to his involvement with France.
