Ten Hag clashes with treble winner over Man Utd’s ‘most clutch’ player tipped as future captain

Robin Bairner

• 21 Mar 2024 09:27 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants to sell the club’s “most clutch” player, according to treble winner Wes Brown.

Scott McTominay finds himself on a list of Man Utd stars who could be ushered out the door in the summer, despite enjoying arguably his best season at Old Trafford.

McTominay made his debut for the Red Devils in 2017 but after years performing quietly solid service as a defensive midfielder, he has come into his own this term when given a more attacking role.

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The 27-year-old has scored nine goals across all competitions this season, making him one of Man Utd’s most potent scoring threats. Indeed, he got the opener in Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 FA Cup victory over Liverpool.

“I love the fact he plays higher up the pitch now, I think you’re seeing a really talented player. I used to look at Scott when he first started playing and, just because of his size and athleticism, you’d say he was a defensive midfield player,” he said.

“But he’s a goalscorer, he’s got the timing to get in the box when the balls are coming in and not only that, he puts it in the back of the net.

“He makes the runs defenders don’t like, and he’s saved United a few times this season. It always helps when you have a good run of games whereas Scott’s been in and out quite a bit at United.”

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McTominay has what it takes to become Man Utd captain

While Ten Hag has earmarked McTominay for the exit, Brown says the Scotland international has the potential to be a future Man Utd captain.

“He loves the club and he puts everything into it. Captain doesn’t always have to be the best player, it’s the player that gives everything and commands everything as well, and Scott’s always done that,” he said.

“Yes, you do need to be a regular to be a captain but Scott has definitely got the fundamentals to go on and do that. If you see some of the performances he’s put in this year, that’s exactly what a good captain is made of.

“The fans have noticed it, the manager has noticed it, and he’s done it in a tough period as well. When the team’s not playing well or the fans are sometimes upset and getting on the players’ backs, Scott’s always the one that will give that determination and the correct attitude. He just needs to play more regularly now.”

Man Utd are inactive until 30 March due to the international break but upon their return they will travel to Brentford in the Premier League, an opponent McTominay scored a dramatic late double against last time out to guide his team to victory.