Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Scott McTominay could become the new Darren Fletcher at Manchester United after his resolute performance against Liverpool.
McTominay was entrusted with an anchorman role in the North West Derby on Sunday after Nemanja Matic picked up a muscle injury in training.
Could McTominay emulate Fletcher? Five key things to know…
- Fletcher made over 300 appearances for United across a trophy-laden career.
- Known for his robust nature and tenacious attitude, Fletcher was adored by the United faithful.
- McTominay rose to prominence under Jose Mourinho last season, with the Portuguese describing him as the “modern midfield player”.
- However, he has featured more sporadically this term and has hardly featured under Solskjaer, playing just five matches.
- His performance against Liverpool was reminiscent of Fletcher, and Solskjaer believes he could be the Scot’s successor at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer may have been tempted to tinker with his tactics and change system but the Norwegian stuck to his guns and opted for a like-for-like Matic replacement, with McTominay filling the midfield void.
Under the circumstances, which saw three United players forced off through injury in the first-half, McTominay stood up to the task well, snuffing out danger during key moments and providing a calming presence in midfield.
It was a mature showing from a player who has rarely featured of late, and Solskjaer was so impressed that he even name checked Fletcher when questioned about his performance.
“I learned a lot about the players today,” Solskjaer told the Manchester Evening News.
“I learnt a lot about Scott McTominay, who I’ve been waiting to give a chance in a more attacking role, he can run into the box, is dangerous, he was a Darren Fletcher today for us. Absolutely fantastic, he’s not played since Reading, that’s six weeks ago, January 5.”
With Arsenal winning against Southampton on Sunday, the Gunners jumped above United in the race for fourth, and Chelsea could yet leapfrog Solskjaer’s men should they capitalise on their game in hand.
Next up for United is an away trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
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McTominay not the only man to impress
Among the wholesale changes made by Solskjaer, Andreas Pereira was another to enter the fray in the opening exchanges, and he too produced a stand-out performance.
United’s habitual nark Ander Herrera was replaced after sustaining an injury, but Pereira provided tenacity and energy in the heart of midfield, replicating the effective pressure of his Spanish counterpart.
Pereira is another, like McTominay, who has been reduced to fleeting appearances this season, but he showed heart and desire against Liverpool, much to the satisfaction of his manager.
Solskjaer said: “Andreas, with the criticism he’s had to come on and did fantastic. So I learnt a lot about the character of the team.
“That first-half wasn’t good enough with the ball, never seen us be so sloppy on the ball, giving easy balls away but then we got through it.”
The post Ole Gunnar Solskjaer discovers his own ‘Darren Fletcher’ in Liverpool draw appeared first on Squawka News.
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