How Jose's advice helped Scott impress

Ahead of this weekend's contest with Arsenal, Scott McTominay has reflected on his breakthrough year in the first team and how advice from Jose Mourinho helped him to win over the dressing room.

Rewind to last year and McTominay was a substitute as the Reds faced the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. This season, the youngster has enjoyed a series of starring roles for United, as well as being capped by the Scotland national team for the first time.

Speaking to fellow academy graduate Danny Webber, the 21-year-old has expressed how the manager has been a helping hand to him throughout the course of the season.

“Jose Mourinho has been absolutely incredible to me this year,” McTominay said at the Aon Training Complex. “He's helped me so much in terms of what I can do, from being more humble, to being better on the training pitch and just being a better person in general.”

Despite his young age, McTominay was able to immediately fit in with the experienced stars of the United first team following advice from Mourinho.

“When I first came into the group he said 'the players have to like you' and it's one of the most important things going into a new dressing room, that you are a likeable person and you get on with everybody. That has stood me in good stead.

“It's important to be liked and on the pitch. It's the manager having the faith to play me that's been incredible and I can't thank him enough.”

Following appearances off the bench at the back end of the previous campaign, Mourinho gave the midfielder a place in the squad for United's pre-season tour.

“To be selected to go on the tour was a really good achievement for me. There were some really good games that I got involved with.

“I came on against Real Madrid and obviously as a young kid to play against Real Madrid was incredible.”

McTominay has since had a breakthrough year in the first team, making 24 appearances for the Reds in all competitions.

Those appearances have included standout victories against Chelsea and Liverpool, with the 21-year-old also given four appearances in the Champions League - including playing the full games against Benfica and Sevilla away respectively.

Scott has been eager to share the experiences he has had in the first team with the other up-and-coming Reds that are on the fringes of Mourinho’s squad.

Throughout the year I have been giving some experience to the younger players such as Angel [Gomes]. You have to help them and tell them what people like and possibly what they won't like. You have to pass your knowledge on, just like Michael Carrick has done for me.