"I don’t think that was his strength" - Paul Scholes reckons Manchester United star has been playing out of his best position

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes thinks Scott McTominay has spent much of his career playing out of position at Old Trafford.

McTominay has enjoyed a superb start to the season, somewhat of a career turnaround following uncertainty over his future in the summer. The Scottish midfielder has bagged three goals in seven games across competitions.

The 26-year-old has been deployed in more advanced role by Erik ten Hag this season. He'd previously been played in a holding midfield role, particularly alongside former Manchester United midfielder Fred.

Scholes argued that McTominay's time spent in defensive midfield didn't pan out. He insisted that it was never the Scotland international's best position (via TNT Sports):

"He almost got pigeon-holed by trying to be a holding midfielder with Fred and it didn’t quite work. They took a little bit of stick together. But I never felt that was his best position, or that he was great at controlling a game. I don’t think that was his strength."

McTominay is displaying a real goal threat with each passing game, recently netting a remarkable last-gasp brace in a 2-1 comeback win against Brentford.

Scholes added:

"His strength is to use his athleticism to get forward and back, he can do everything as an all-round midfield player."

It's often been assumed that McTominay started his career as a striker while climbing the youth ranks at Old Trafford. However, he pointed out earlier this month that this wasn't the case, he's always been a number 8 (via Manchester United's official website):

"I played two games there with [former Reserves coach] Warren Joyce because we had no striker. So, whenever I score a goal, people always say: ‘He used to be a striker, that’s why'. I never used to be a striker! I’ve always been a midfield player, a number eight."

McTominay was linked with a departure from Old Trafford in the summer, with West Ham United interested. However, the Hammers failed to meet the Red Devils' price tag and saw a £30 million bid rejected, per The Athletic.

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Renowned journalist urges Erik ten Hag to drop Manchester United star Casemiro

Casemiro has struggled this season.

English journalist Steve Bates has explained why he believes Ten Hag should make the bold call to drop Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder was a standout performer for Manchester United last season, bagging seven goals and six assists in 51 games across competitions.

However, the 31-year-old has come off the boil this season, putting in questionable performances. He's been exposed on several occasions although an injury crisis has perhaps left to vulnerabilities in Ten Hag's midfield.

Still, Bates argues that Casemiro has shown regression and a fresh pair of legs are needed in the middle of the park. He wrote for GIVEMESPORT:

"This season has highlighted the need for younger, quicker legs around [Casemiro] with alarming stats showing that he’s an easy player for opponents to run past... The Brazilian is sweating on his place in the team against City (October 29) – and that decision could be one of the biggest calls ten Hag has had to make in his time at Old Trafford.”

Casemiro joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in August 2022 for £74 million. He is a five-time UEFA Champions League winner and boasts valuable experience for the Red Devils.