Manchester United’s rich history and traditions centre around promoting youth and giving academy graduates their opportunities in the first-team. That’s something which makes the Red Devils a club to be admired.
Under Jose Mourinho, I must admit that I was scared that those principals would die, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with his willingness to give youngsters their chance to shine.
With Michael Carrick retiring at the end of the season, the questions are there about who’ll take his job. The veteran midfielder has been speaking to United about the possibility of Scott McTominay potentially replacing the former Spurs star, and he is glowing in his review of the fledgeling star.
“Scotty has done great,” Carrick told Manchester United’s official website. “The improvement has been so great over the last six to 12 months, when we’ve seen him training with us a lot more.
“You can see that he steps up to every challenge that has been set in every environment. He is an athlete. He is strong, quick and very good on the ball. He has got all of the attributes to have a really good career.
“He just needs those breaks at the right times, which so far he has had. Hopefully, he will keep taking his chances.”
“He is willing to learn and listen. That is one of the biggest things for a young lad, to have that attitude. Of course, I am here to help him and I try to do it as much as I can,”
“I know he will take my place some day and that is not something I would be afraid of, or try to put him off, because it is important to help the future and Scott is definitely that. It is my responsibility to do all I can to help him. It is something I really enjoy, to see the younger lads coming in and getting a chance. Whether it be in my position or not, it’s how the game goes and how the club evolves.”
I’d love to see McTominay cement his place in the side, as it’d mean the Red Devils wouldn’t have to go out and spend big to bring someone in. However, I’m not sure he’s ready to stake his claim to be playing every single week right now. That’s not to say he couldn’t do it in the future, but I think he needs much more experience before that day comes.
Defensively, McTominay is great. He can win the ball back due to his size and strength, but positionally, particularly when United are on the attack, he’s sometimes limited. We have to remember that he’s just 21 and perhaps he’ll learn and develop as time goes on, although we’ll have to wait and see.
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