Scott McTominay has laughed off suggestions that he has been bullying team-mate Alejandro Garnacho.
Footage emerged on social media of the midfielder taking the teenager’s hat in training and booting it away, with some fans criticising McTominay for his treatment of the 18-year-old.
The Scotland international dismissed any such talk, though would want any of his team-mates to be open with him if they did have an issue.
“I had a lot of people saying that was bullying,” McTominay told The Athletic. “That was just a bit of a joke!
He added: “I’ve never been interested in, if things are going wrong — and I’m not saying I’ve had that here, but I have experienced it over my time in football, when I was a kid — speaking behind people’s backs if you don’t win. That is just a disaster.”
Scott McTominay takes Alejandro Garnacho’s hat & kicks it away 😂 pic.twitter.com/PyjEvxdBov
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) November 2, 2022
“You need players in the group who are straight-talking, say things to people’s faces, and if they like it they like it, if they don’t they’ll get over it next week.
“I feel like we have a really good group for that, especially with the lads who are playing every week.”
Garnacho was voted Man United’s Player of the Month for November, netting a last-gasp winner against Fulham in the team’s last match before the World Cup.
He has received plenty of praise for his performances, but also warnings from the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Erik ten Hag over his attitude and focus. McTominay echoed those views.
The midfielder said of Garnacho.”He needs to keep his feet on the ground and keep working hard and he can be one hell of a footballer.”
