Scott Strives For Game Time

It's fair to say Scott McTominay has enjoyed a memorable 2017. A first-team debut away at Arsenal at the end of last season, has been followed by an official promotion to senior squad member, a new contract and a Champions League bow.

The midfielder, who turns 21 on Friday, sat down with United Review, the official matchday programme, before Tuesday's 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow to reflect on the strides forward he has made so far and to discuss his ambitions for the rest of the season and beyond...

How would you sum up the campaign so far for you?
Personally, it’s been a very good start to the season. I’ve featured in a number of games and that’s been pleasing and I want to push on. When you first come into the first-team group, you strive for game time and I’ve been getting little bits step by step and it only helps you to improve.

You signed a new contract in October – how proud a moment was that for you and your family?
My family were really proud and it was a big occasion for me, I was really happy to commit my long-term future to the club. But that’s finished now and I want to focus on working hard every day and push for more the game time. I want to improve and hopefully be a long-term project for this football club.

You made your debut at the end of last season – what did you hope to achieve at the start of this one?
I’ve always set myself goals and have always been quite an ambitious person when it comes to football. You’re not always sure what to expect at the start of the season and where you might be, but you have to take that in your stride. Things have moved on and I’ve come into the first-team group which has been great. And I want to stay in this group. The game time is very important for me and that’s what really improves you as a footballer and takes you that next level.

How have you felt you’ve grown through the season on and off the pitch?
Massively off the pitch. The lads really make you feel at home and introduce you to the changing room and it’s like one big family. Obviously, on the pitch, you’re learning and improving from playing with and watching the top players we have and in a few years’ time, I hope I can be one of those players who shows a young player coming through the level and the high standards required at United.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt so far since being part of the first-team squad?
Just everything. There isn’t an individual thing or moment because you pick up so many things and learn from different things the manager might say. You really have to be switched on because the tactical side of the game is so important. I’m beginning to learn that now.

You made your Champions League debut away to Benfica – did you notice a difference in the challenge or style of football compared to that in domestic matches?
Obviously, you’re playing against foreign players and we’ve experienced that in the UEFA Youth League. There is a lot of focus on tactics so you have to be really switched on to that. Playing in the Youth League matches has really helped me. You’re up against some of the best footballers in Europe. Experiencing it is the key thing, it’s okay watching but you have to be streetwise and experience it for yourself on the pitch. The guys who are playing it in this year in the Under-19s can only learn good things from it.

You then played the full 90 minutes at home to Benfica and received plenty of praise for your performance – how did you feel after that match?
Obviously, whenever you get told you’re going to play in a game like that you have to be ready. You’ve trained your whole life for those games and you want more and more of those experiences. I felt ready and individually and collectively I thought we played really well and that was really pleasing.

It doesn’t get much better than playing in a Champions League game at Old Trafford under the floodlights does it?
Exactly. It’s unbelievable and when the music comes on, there’s nothing better.

You played alongside Nemanja Matic that night and he said afterwards you are “the future of United”. How does a player like him help you on the pitch?
He’s great. Off the pitch, he’s really supportive and he makes a big fuss of you when he sees you! [Smiles] And, on the pitch, he’s always speaking to you as well. As a young player, to have someone so senior looking out for you it gives you a big lift. During the game, I tried to emulate what he did and be a bit of a shield [for the defence] and I thought we did well in the game and controlled the tempo. The whole experience was great.

You’ve seen someone like Paul Pogba come through the ranks at United and become one of the best players in the world – how much does his journey inspire you and all the young players?
He’s exactly that – an inspiration. That’s the level you want to aspire to and you only get to that level by watching players like Paul and putting it into practice. He’s one of the most mentally strong guys I’ve ever met and that shows on the pitch. No matter if things might be going against the team everyone is always positive and keeps going and Paul is a big part of that which is testament to his character.

The manager has had a lot of praise for you publicly – how does that make you feel and what’s the most enjoyable thing about working with him?
It’s really pleasing to hear from my point of view. That’s what you want, you want to impress your manager, the coaching staff, your team-mates and the fans. The history of this club is about bringing young players through and the manager has given us a chance. You see that with Marcus [Rashford] and Jesse [Lingard] and what they’re doing is unbelievable. I want to emulate that and hopefully more and more young players continue to come through.

With so many games coming up you must be hopeful of getting some minutes under your belt over the coming weeks?
Yes, I hope so. The Christmas period is always a very busy schedule and that’s where you need your big squad and to have different players able to come in. I know I need to be patient but I’m working hard to be ready for whenever the manager needs me. We’re fighting on all fronts and we want to go as far as we can in every competition. We’re Man United, we want to win everything.