Man Utd want to sell their MVP

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Feb 2024 21:11 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United’s most valuable player this season has been Scott McTominay and yet the midfielder finds his place at the club under question.

The Scotland international may not be a favourite of the Old Trafford crowd, but his goals have been worth 10 points to Man Utd this season – nearly a quarter of the total they have picked up to this juncture.

Time and again, the midfielder has come off the bench to be the difference for Erik ten Hag’s club. To that end, it seemed inevitable that he would get the winner during Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Aston Villa. And of course, he did via a thumping header that keeps his side in the Champions League race.

What McTominay may lack in grace and glamour, is making up for in sheer decisiveness.

And despite all this, the 27-year-old is widely cited as being a player considered expendable in the summer.

Still one of Man Utd’s poorest paid players, there have also been reports that he will be offered a one-year contract extension – a rather insulting offer to a player who has been worth so much this term.

McTominay is Man Utd’s ace

Let’s put it into context what he has achieved.

McTominay has seven Premier League goals in 1203 minutes of action – a goal every 172 minutes.

Next best among players with more than 150 total minutes is Rasmus Hojlund on one goal every 277 minutes – and he’s a centre-forward remember.

McTominay has also been far more decisive with his strikes. His goals have been worth 10 points to the Red Devils. Three-goal Bruno Fernandes comes next in this regard, with his goals worth six points. Hojlund’s have been five, Alejandro Garnacho three and golden boy Marcus Rashford of the £375,000 per-week deal just one.

McTominay is never going to be a superstar, but to claim there’s not a role for him at the club he has represented for 22 years when putting up such figures is ludicrous.