Rio Ferdinand has hailed Scott McTominay as a player Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag can ‘rely on in times of need’ after his heroics against Brentford on Saturday.
United were set for a third consecutive defeat in all competitions before Scotland international McTominay came off the bench to score two goals in stoppage time and rescue victory for the hosts at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old has risen through the ranks at United, first featuring under Jose Mourinho and since becoming an experienced figure in the dressing room, but has struggled for recent match time.
Minutes in midfield have been limited with Ten Hag preferring to use Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount in McTominay’s preferred position, however, ex-United star Ferdinand believes Saturday’s brace could lead to more regular game-time.
Ferdinand insisted Saturday’s match-winning goals shows McTominay can be trusted by Ten Hag in future crisis moments.
Scott McTominay was Manchester United’s match-winner against Brentford on Saturday
McTominay (left) scored twice in stoppage time to rescue victory for Man United at Old Trafford
Rio Ferdinand believes McTominay (left) has shown Erik ten Hag (right) he can be relied upon
‘The manager now knows he can rely on Scott McTominay to come in and be focused and someone he can rely on in times of need,’ Ferdinand said on his Five YouTube show.
‘I am not saying McTominay is going to be the go-to guy when we are a goal down or anything like that but he has showed you he has a certain Man United spirit.
‘Somebody brought up through the club, there is a lot to be said for his attitude and application in terms of driving culture at the football club,’ he added.
McTominay has now departed for international duty with Scotland where he hopes to continue his rich goalscoring form with the national team in a bid to help them secure qualification for next year’s European Championship.
The United star is second in the competitions qualifying goalscoring ranks, tied with Red Devils team-mate Rasmus Hojlund on six goals, while Romelu Lukaku tops the charts with eight strikes.
Ten Hag was saved from what would have been another damning defeat by McTominay
Saturday’s victory was a moment of remembrance for United players who wore black armbands in honour of Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy who passed away earlier in the week.
Ferdinand highlighted McTominay’s goal at the end of the match would have been a touching moment for former United manager Ferguson who oversaw multiple last-minute goals during his time at the club.
‘Beautiful moment, when you put it like that it’s like wow, the manager would have been smiling with that,’ said Ferdinand.
‘There won’t have been much smiling around the Ferguson house but I think after that he would have been thinking there is no better way I would have wanted this weekend to end for me personally.’
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