Shortly after Manchester United lost their opening game of the 2022/23 season, midfielder Scott McTominay was told that he was not good enough to play for the club. The Scotsman, alongside Fred, was chosen to start in the engine room as manager Erik ten Hag deployed Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen in more advanced positions.
His performance was disappointing, and much like the rest of his teammates, he was widely criticised. Things quickly went from bad to worse as United were thrashed by Brentford in Ten Hag's second game in charge, with McTominay coming on as a second-half substitution.
After the Brighton loss, it felt like 25-year-old McTominay was somewhat of a scapegoat. The midfielder, occupying the position that Frenkie de Jong would have taken up had he made the long-awaited move from Barcelona to Old Trafford, was slammed for his decision making in the defeat.
