Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay reveals the ‘total myth’ that constantly gets banded about

Scott McTominay celebrates his late double for Manchester United against Brentford in October 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has responded to claims about a "myth" that has followed him throughout his career.

Since breaking into the Manchester United first team in 2017, the Scottish international has only ever been utilised in midfield - except on the odd occasion when the Red Devils have required a goal and he's been lumped up front. 

Prior to making his debut in the first team, though, many football supporters believe that McTominay played as a centre-forward - something which is completely false.

Scott McTominay of Manchester United during the Premier League International Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester United U23 and Porto B at Leigh Sports Village on February 22, 2017 in Leigh, Greater Manchester. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Many believed McTominay wrongly played up front (Image credit: Getty Images)

When asked by FourFourTwo about his versatility, McTominay addresses the misconception that he used to wear the No.9 shirt in Manchester United's youth team. 

"A total myth," McTominay tells FFT. "It’s funny to read that. I think I played as a striker maybe twice when I was going through a bit of a growth spurt. It was to help the youth team out at the time.

Scott McTominay celebrates one of his two goals for Scotland against Cyprus in March 2023.

McTominay has still proven his goalscoring ability for Scotland (Image credit: Getty Images)

"That doesn’t really make me a forward, kind of like how playing at centre-back a couple of times for Scotland doesn’t make me a centre-back."

Still, McTominay has since proven that he is more than capable of banging in goals at the top level. In Euro 2024 qualifying he ended up with a remarkable seven goals, while he is also the Manchester United top scorer so far in 2023/24 (which isn't quite as remarkable) with six strikes.

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Manchester United have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid and France star Antoine Griezmann. Meanwhile, a former Barcelona defender could potentially be on his way to Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford could also be set to join him, having agreed personal terms with Barcelona. Almost half a year after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, David de Gea could be close to sealing a move to a new club

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has defended his training methods as the injuries pile up – with Mason Mount the latest player set for a spell on the sidelines.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.