Erik ten Hag has already shown how ruthless he can be at Manchester United and he is bound to be again in the summer.
Whether it's been taking captain Harry Maguire out of the side after two games, refusing to yield to Cristiano Ronaldo or sending Jadon Sancho on hiatus for weeks until he is completely ready to play, the new United boss has shown bravery in making tough decisions and the will to follow them through. Nearly every single decision has paid off massively and only further ingratiated Ten Hag to supporters.
But more critical choices and tough tests are to come. The great improvements and success the Dutchman has already enjoyed means his targets will rise considerably next season. A return to the top four and maybe an end to the trophy drought was the best United fans hoped for last summer and that's on course to be surpassed with the style of Dick Fosbury.
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With one trophy already in the bag, two more certainly possible and a return to the Champions League nearly locked in, Ten Hag has massively overachieved in his first season and that has created a great deal of optimism. But with optimism comes inflated expectations and United will be expected to launch a serious Premier League title challenge next season.
United have flirted with the title race at points this year but it's a level beyond them at present. It took Arsenal over three years of patient and often turbulent building under Mikel Arteta to be in their position, so there is no shame in that. But it's clear United's squad isn't good enough as a whole to make a serious challenge for the top prize. When the best players have been unavailable, their replacements haven't been able to step up.
Ten Hag is fully aware and will be making further moves to improve his ranks in the summer. While that will call for further additions, it will also mean moving players on who consistently haven't been good enough not just this season, but long before too.
It's understood that Maguire, the perpetually injured Anthony Martial and the out-on-loan Alex Telles are all currently on the list to be sold in the summer. Brandon Williams, Anthony Elanga and Donny van de Beek's time at the club could be on the line as well while the likes of Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe may be released. It's looking like a big clearout is on the horizon.
Yet, one player who has seen relatively little speculation surrounding his future is Scott McTominay. The midfielder has only started one match in the Premier League since the 6-3 defeat by City in early October and only has five additional starts in cup competitions, two of which he was taken off at half-time in.
That one league start came when Casemiro was suspended and United lost to Arsenal. Panic was struck into the hearts of supporters when it became apparent the Brazilian lynchpin would miss the huge game against the Gunners because the drop in quality when he is out of the side is stark. On average United lose one in 10 games with Casemiro in side compared to one in four when he's out.
United only started to really get good earlier in the season when Casemiro finally came into the side. The dominance he provides in midfield both on the ball with his great range of passing and off the ball with positioning and decisive tackling just can't be replicated by anyone else.
McTominay has his uses thanks to his great energy and aggression but those qualities don't count for much when there is little technical proficiency to go with them. Especially when Ten Hag's side is built upon skill and intelligence. While a capable player at a high level, the bar is rising at United and McTominay isn't keeping pace. He is a player no longer needed in the direction the club is going.
Yet, there is still time to prove that isn't the case. The last time McTominay started in the league was due to Casemiro being unavailable and it might be a positive thing for him on a personal level that the veteran is now out for the next four domestic games. With Christian Eriksen also sidelined and Marcel Sabitzer dealing with an injury, it leaves only McTominay to come in against Fulham before the international break.
Then there will be three league games once club football resumes for McTominay to prove himself as well. If he can show he has learned enough from Ten Hag's teachings this season and is able to be useful in his side, then he might just be able to stave off the culling blade in the summer.
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