Liverpool legend explains why midfielder should ‘walk into’ Man Utd’s team

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness believes Manchester United star Scott McTominay will continue to improve and should ‘walk’ into Erik ten Hag’s starting eleven.

The 26-year-old midfielder has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season as he has struggled to force his way into Ten Hag’s thinking during the opening month of the campaign after being linked with a move away from Old Trafford during the summer months.

McTominay’s struggles at club level have not impacted on his form at international level after the Red Devils midfielder firmly established himself as a key player in the Scotland side. The United star has scored seven goals in 42 appearances for the Tartan Army ahead of Tuesday night’s friendly with England - but has hit something of a purple patch in recent months with six goals in seven Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Assessing the midfielder’s development and his situation at Old Trafford, Souness praised McTominay’s ‘energy and athleticism’ and insisted he should play a lead role in Ten Hag’s side.

“I’ve never met the guy, he must be six foot four, he’s what you’d describe as a box-to-box player,” the Liverpool legend told Channel Four.

“Now, he’s playing in a position where he’s arriving late into the box, with his size and his athleticism, he’s going to get there. It’s no trouble for him, ok, we see him scoring goals, and this is what we are highlighting, because he’s our top goalscorer, but when it doesn’t happen for him, he’s got the energy and athleticism to get back into his position when we don’t have the ball.

“He’s a threat because of his size and the timing of his runs and that timing of your run, you get better at that with age, it’s something you can learn. There are some parts of the game you never learn, but he will keep learning that.

“I think for Man United, I think he would walk into Man United’s team.”