Where Man Utd would be in the Premier League table without Scott McTominay's goals

Back in the hazy days of August, Scott McTominay's future was desperately uncertain.

West Ham had made multiple bids for a midfielder who was not deemed integral to Manchester United. There had been bright but brief bursts for the Scot during Erik ten Hag's debut campaign but he was hardly a fixture in the team; the injury-riddled Anthony Martial started more league games last term.

McTominay had stumbled across a prolific patch in the slower pace of international football but his Premier League output remained pedestrian; Fred outscored his fellow midfielder before getting shipped out.

Ultimately, West Ham wouldn't stump up the £40m United were demanding for McTominay. Based on the transformative effect of his goals this season, the once-unwanted midfielder would be worth a lot more now.

Date

Fixture

Score before McTominay's goal

07/10/2023

Man Utd 2-1 Brentford

0-1

07/10/2023

Man Utd 2-1 Brentford

1-1

21/10/2023

Sheff Utd 1-2 Man Utd

0-0

06/12/2023

Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea

0-0

06/12/2023

Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea

1-1

01/02/2024

Wolves 3-4 Man Utd

1-2

11/02/2024

Aston Villa 1-2 Man Utd

1-1

McTominay may be United's leading Premier League scorer with seven goals but that hasn't guaranteed a permanent starting berth. Yet, it is his ability to impact a game he's only just entered which has endeared him so deeply to Ten Hag.

«He is an example for many other players,» the Dutchman gushed after McTominay emerged from the bench to snatch an 86th-minute winner against Aston Villa on Sunday.

«He is always giving the spirit in the week when he is training as opposition, working on himself. He is ready for one minute, ready for 90 minutes. It is great to have such a player.»

While a more advanced position may be an option for the future, McTominay has proven to be