Scott McTominay has given a glowing review of Erik ten Hag and his backroom team’s approach to managing players at Manchester United.
The midfielder has featured regularly under his new boss, starting seven games this season despite the arrival of Casemiro from Real Madrid. The 25-year-old detailed that he has spoken to Ten Hag about his role in his plans, the United boss also keen to know the person behind the player.
“Obviously, you have conversations like that [about his role in the team] which are kept in-house,” McTominay told club media. “On tour [in Thailand and Australia], he asked me about my family and how they were and how they’re getting on.
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“That was a real good touch that because I felt like I could then trust him, and want to play for him and be in a team with him, where he’s pushing me. I obviously want to be making sure I’m doing my best for him because he’s got a real understanding about my personal life as well, which is massive in terms of a player. I’ve never really properly had that before. [I’ve had] other bits from other coaches but I feel like he’s really, really good in that aspect.”
McTominay was also quick to hail Ten Hag’s backroom staff, giving a mighty appraisal of Steve McClaren, who returned to Old Trafford as Ten Hag's number two 21 years after leaving the club as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant.
“In terms of man-management as well, with the other staff – Mitchell [van der Gaag], Darren Fletcher, the manager himself – we’ve got a real good group there,” the Scot added.
“ Steve McClaren is literally one of the best guys you can have in football because he keeps everybody alive, he keeps everyone together and that is so good for players, in boosting their confidence. I feel like some players needed that at the end of last season. They needed lifting and that energy bringing into the group and they’ve most definitely done that.”
McTominay detailed how staff are meticulous in planning their strategies for helping the squad develop as a whole and individually. He said: “It always is the collective as a staff. Everyone has got their own individual roles and they’re all helping us individually. The manager has been through clips with me, we’ve had other coaches go through clips with other players and stuff like that.
“It’s important that everyone is really doing their job and the staff are brilliant. Whenever the staff are really dialled in, it makes the players even more focused as it makes them want to do their job as well as they’re doing theirs.”
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