(Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Ralf Rangnick is only just getting his feet under the table at Manchester United after replacing Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in the Old Trafford hotseat – but he’s already hailed Scotland star Scott McTominay as being ‘almost perfect’ for the type of footvall he expects to see from the Red Devils.
McTominay and Brazilian international Fred were tasked with anchoring Rangnick’s midfield in his first game in charge of United against Crystal Palace over the weekend, with the German stressing just how important they are to his side.
Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay in action for Man United against Crystal Palace last weekend. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Rangnick did spot one or two things he didn’t like about his midfield pairing but, overall, was delighted how things went with the Scotland midfielder handed a key role in the German’s system.
“If you play the way that we played today, with regard to intensity, being on the front foot, playing very proactively, and having four offensive players ahead of Scotty and Fred – with Jadon, Bruno, Cristiano and Marcus – it’s highly important that you have players who are very disciplined, who are proactively aggressive against the ball,” Rangnick said.
“And both Scotty and Fred are almost perfect defensively on that. They did one or two or three mistakes, especially in the first half there were two square passes – one from Scott, one from Fred.
“I don’t like those kinds of balls in midfield in those positions. But overall, when the other team is in possession of the ball, both Fred and Scotty they are almost perfect for that kind of football.”
With McTominay again impressing in midfield for his club, it’ll be interesting to see whether Steve Clarke continues to use him as a central defender at international level.
The Man United star can clearly bring a lot to the side in either position for Scotland but it would make sense if Clarke did look to transition him into a midfield role similar to the one he’s playing regularly for his club.
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