MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has saluted Erik ten Hag’s personal touch and revealed how the new management team have lifted flagging morale.
United posted four successive Premier League wins before last week’s trip to rivals Manchester City, where hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden condemned them to a comprehensive 6-3 defeat.
However, Ten Hag’s side bounced back with a 3-2 victory over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday, boosting their hopes of progressing from Group E.
McTominay came off the bench during United’s trip to Cyprus but has started six of seven league games under Ten Hag despite the arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Speaking to United’s website, the Scotland international made a favourable comparison between Ten Hag and his predecessors, saying of the Dutch boss: “On tour [in pre-season] he asked me about my family and how they were and how they’re getting on.
“That was a real good touch 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.”
With United failing to win a major trophy since Jose Mourinho’s team captured the 2016-17 Europa League, McTominay felt sweeping changes were required at Old Trafford, and he highlighted the role of Ten Hag’s backroom team in implementing them.
“There’s a lot of change, obviously,” he said. “I think it’s clear to notice that on the pitch, in terms of the way we set up and the different ideas the manager has got.”
He pointed to the influence of assistant boss Mitchell van der Gaag and technical director Darren Fletcher, and also highlighted the role of former England boss Steve McClaren, a notable recruit to Ten Hag’s coaching staff.
“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,” McTominay said.
“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.”
United travel to Everton for their next Premier League outing on Sunday, looking to improve on their dismal record in recent away games.
The Red Devils have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League away matches, and scored as many goals in last week’s defeat to City as they had in their previous eight road trips.
