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After a number of appearances off the bench, Scott McTominay was chosen to begin in Manchester United's FA Cup fifth spherical conflict with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening.
In the end, it was a difficult match for Man United, with the house facet doing properly in placing offensive stress on the guests.
However, United got here from behind to safe a slim 1–0 victory due to Casemiro's 89th-minute header.
Whereas Eric ten Hag's facet had been undermanned for a lot of the night, they gave the match an brisk begin, with McTominay closely concerned within the crew's attacking buildup.
In the course of the opening minutes, the midfielder was in a position to get on the tip of a harmful cross from Diogo Dalot. Whereas McTominay was in a superb place to attain, his header was aimed straight on the Forest goalkeeper, preserving the rating stage.
Later within the half, McTominay thought it could be a superb time to aim an overhead kick from a nook. He was confirmed fallacious, his shot going large of the crossbar.
In the end, McTominay was closely concerned in United's assault, taking 5 pictures, nevertheless, solely two makes an attempt had been heading in the right direction and the opposite was blocked.
He additionally confirmed high quality with the ball at his toes and accomplished two out of three dribble makes an attempt.
In his holding midfield position, McTominay's passing sport left a lot to be desired. He accomplished 35 passes out of 48 makes an attempt, giving a passing accuracy of 73%, whereas he additionally caught one key move and accomplished two out of three lengthy balls. The Scottish worldwide did not make any crosses.
When it comes to his bodily potential, McTominay proved himself to be sturdy each on and off the ball. Whereas he received solely three out of six floor duels, he proved sturdy within the air, successful two out of three aerial duels, together with a header from a nook within the first half the place he cleared the ball away from hazard.
Regardless of being an essential header, the incident did little to disguise the truth that McTominay supplied minimal defensive help to United's again line. He took the identical defensive motion all through the match, specifically his clearance, and on one event he was dribbled – a poor efficiency for a holding midfielder.
In the end, McTominay put in a superb attacking efficiency, proving to be extremely concerned in United's build-up play. However, his defensive play left a lot to be desired, as did his mediocre passing efficiency.
If there's one factor this efficiency confirmed, it's that McTominay is suited to the attacking midfield position that Ten Hag has handed him as he comes off the bench as an affect sub throughout the second half. Nevertheless, on this night's match, he was utilized in his former holding midfield position; A state of affairs the place he struggled always up to now.
It seems as if McTominay's combined performances are largely a results of Ten Hag's choice making, with the Scot clearly not suited to a defensive midfield position. Ten Hag ought to take word, particularly with the conflict towards Manchester Metropolis looming this weekend.
(Information through Sofascore)