Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish believes Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag should take notes on how Steve Clarke is using Scott McTominay as an attacking midfielder.
The 26-year-old scored seven goals for Scotland throughout their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and there are calls for him to play a more attacking role at United as a result, but we’ve seen Ten Hag alter his approach with McTominay this season. Hence why he has been scoring more often for United as well as Scotland.
McLeish, who recalled on BBC Radio Scotland his trip to meet McTominay before calling him up to the Scotland squad for the first time. He also used his appearance on radio to point out the versatility he offers across midfield.
“That’s why I wondered why Manchester United and Ten Hag didn’t take a leaf out of Steve Clarke’s book in terms of what Steve’s done with him,” the former Rangers and Aston Villa manager said.
“He’s played him in the back three also and as a holding midfielder, but as an attacking midfielder, it seems to be more of his niche.
“So your thinking, maybe when he goes back to Man Utd, Ten Hag will play him in an attacking, forward role. There’s no shame in what Ten Hag thought his best position would be, but you can learn from other things and, for me, he should have looked at the way Steve Clarke has been playing him.”
The problem Ten Hag is facing is not having a defensive midfielder fit in the squad. That means someone like McTominay, who he feels is disciplined enough to play an array of roles, then has to carry out more defensive duties. That is why it’s important not to overlook the problems United have in the injury department.
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