“From the moment I saw him…” – Erik ten Hag recalls early moment with Man United star

Erik ten Hag has recalled what he realised in the early moments he had with Scott McTominay during Manchester United’s training sessions, explaining that he noticed the midfielder’s ability to finish from early on.

Scott McTominay has forced his way into some big conversations of late, becoming Manchester United‘s hero on multiple occasions in the last few months after many thought he was never going to play under Erik ten Hag again.

McTominay looked to be on his way out of the door to West Ham in the summer after United signed Mason Mount, with the midfielder being deemed surplus to requirements.

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However, fast forwards four months, and he is now the Reds’ leading goalscorer this campaign with six goals to his name, including two in the recent 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday afternoon.

McTominay has started the last six league games under Ten Hag, and speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bournemouth tie, the Dutch manager has recalled that he could see the midfielder’s ability to score from the first moments he watched McTominay train.

“Actually, from the first moment I saw him, [I realised] he has a very good smell to make it in the box, and he is a very good finisher. That is not a surprise,” Ten Hag said on Friday afternoon. “When we bring it and the way we want to play and get the balls to them, he will finish.”

McTominay is not the only player to have a restriction at Old Trafford this season, with his compatriot Harry Maguire rightfully receiving a lot of praise after working his way back into the XI.

Maguire recently won the Premier League Player of the Month award for November after starting, winning, and keeping a clean sheet in all three of the side’s league fixtures in the penultimate month of the calendar year.

He added on the pair: “I think we have a squad, and in the squad there is internal competition. If you want a successful season, you need more than 11 players.

“Finally, in every season, it will turn, and in every season, it’s what is the best team. They are here, they are great players and played into the team. That’s what you expect from every player, there has to be a dedication to aim for this.”