Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has hailed the impact of Scott McTominay, who has become a regular under Jose Mourinho in a short period of time. The 21-year-old had impressed the manager during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, and this saw him integrated into the first-team squad after making just two league appearances last term.
Since then, McTominay has been picked regularly in the match day squads, and he has found himself a regular over the past month amid the fitness concerns of Paul Pogba. The Anglo-Scot has come up with several promising performances during his period, but the best of the lot was against Liverpool, where he managed to command the midfield alongside Serbia international Matic.
Prior to United’s Champions League tie versus Sevilla, Matic was asked about the involvement of teammate McTominay, and he spoke glowingly about the youngster, who he believes has matured above his age, he said: “Scott is fantastic. It is a joy to play next to him because he fights for the team, he runs a lot. He plays like he already played five or six years in the Premier League, but he’s still young. He’s fantastic. He was one of the best players on the pitch so I am happy that we have him in the team, and he needs to continue in this way.”
United will now shift their focus to a key Champions League round of 16 tie against Sevilla at Old Trafford. The Mancunian giants played out a 0-0 draw versus the Andalusian outfit in the away-leg, and they now have the chance to capitalise on the home meeting in order to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Paul Pogba is apparently doubtful for the encounter with a minor thigh strain, and his absence could see Mourinho stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation versus Sevilla. The Portuguese has previously utilised Marouane Fellaini in a three-man midfield, but the Belgian’s ability to complete the full 90 minutes is a concern amid recent injury setbacks.