‘Example for everyone’ - Erik ten Hag says Man Utd players need to match in-form midfielder’s ‘attitude’

Erik ten Hag has said Scott McTominay's response to his lack of game time should be an ‘example’ to his Manchester United team-mates, following his recent goalscoring heroics against Brentford.

The midfielder was introduced in the latter stages of United’s last Premier League encounter, and with the side trailing 1-0 at Old Trafford, McTominay’s brace turned things around and handed United a crucial three points. But it’s been a frustrating start to the new campaign for the 26-year-old, who has started just two of the club’s 11 games in all competitions.

Ten Hag praised McTominay’s impact after the Brentford win, while the academy product captained Scotland over the international break, a two-week gap in which Steve Clarke’s side clinched a spot at Euro 2024. United’s no.39 will hope he can continue that feel-good factor into Saturday’s match against Sheffield United, and after such a poor start to the 2023/24 campaign, Ten Hag said his squad need to match McTominay’s exemplary attitude.

“In our last game, it gave us energy and in the game which we turned around, the togetherness with the fans, they backed us throughout the game,” the Dutchman told United’s website. “We were losing but they were very supportive and it was a great atmosphere in the stadium and also the team kept believing in a better result.

“We then brought Scott McTominay on and I think his attitude is a real example for everyone, to come on at such short notice, I cannot expect that every time a player comes on, that two minutes later he is scoring two goals.

“But that attitude is what we need and that is the example that we need to be a really good team, a really good squad, [and] a good dressing room to get the results in because it is not just about eleven players, it is about the squad.”

United head into the trip to Bramall Lane sitting 10th in the table, having lost half of their eight Premier League matches this term. It's also the start of another period for the Red Devils, who face Copenhagen twice in the Champions League before the international break, as well as the Manchester derby next weekend.