Scott McTominay looked as surprised as anyone to have scored twice in six minutes on Saturday as Scotland opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Cyprus.
The Manchester United midfielder started on the bench at Hampden Park and was introduced by Steve Clarke with his side 1-0 ahead, ostensibly to sure things up in midfield. He did that and then some, bursting into the box on 87 minutes to rifle home Lyndon Dykes' knockdown before doing so again in added-time, this time on the end of Andy Robertson's pass.
Both were the kind of run United fans know McTominay can undertake but one they have not seen him do enough this season. The 26-year-old has two goals from 32 appearances in all competitions and has not found the net since November - a Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa in which he was deployed up front.
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That has been partly due to the fact that he has often adopted a deeper role at United under Erik ten Hag, but not entirely. McTominay spoke in December of his desire to make more runs into the box and support United's attacking players, detailing meetings in which his manager would highlight opportunities.
"I like scoring goals and being in the box, but I like the other side of it too," McTominay told the Athletic. "I like a bit of everything, the horrible side of the game. I need to start doing it all.
"He [Ten Hag] likes to fill the box with players. He wants players in the box ready to score goals. If you don’t have enough players in the box you never are going to score goals, because a striker can’t beat four players by himself.
"I should score more goals. The manager has actually spoken to me about that and shown me little clips and ways I can be more effective in the game: making assists, scoring goals. ‘If you do certain little details, then you can get yourself in those positions more often’. I know I can do it."
Casemiro will serve the remaining three games of his suspension after the international break, the Brazilian absent for games against Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton. Christian Eriksen is closing in on a return from the injury that has kept him out since January but the Dane will be eased back, rather than thrown in at the deep end.
Their absences leave McTominay with an opportunity through April to get a run in the side and to make true on his wish to be more in the goals.
Where his future will lie beyond this season remains to be seen, and the Scotland international is expected to be on a list of potential departures - at least in this current moment - as Ten Hag attempts to trim the fat of the squad and add more quality, particularly in midfield.
A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the Scot in recent months, most consistently Newcastle. Eddie Howe is said to be a huge fan of the midfielder's power and energy in bursting forward, as he did at Hampden Park.
Whether it be to reassert his future as a United player under Ten Hag or to put himself in the shop window for any summer suitors, appearances like the one on Saturday will do no damage to his reputation.
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