Harry Maguire blamed for Scott McTominay's 'misuse' at Manchester United

Scott McTominay is preparing to play for Scotland against England on Monday evening - off the back of little playing time for Manchester United this season.

The midfielder has played a total of just nine minutes in the Premier League, and was excluded from the matchday squad entirely for the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

McTominay struggled for regular playing time for United last season, but the signing of Mason Mount and return to fitness of Christian Eriksen at the end of last season have restricted his opportunities further.

But the 26-year-old will look to add to the goal and assist he registered in Scotland's 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifier win over Cyprus on Friday, where he played in a more advanced midfield role.

West Ham were interested in signing McTominay in the summer window, but saw an offer turned down by United and bought James Ward-Prowse from Southampton instead.

And according to The Telegraph, it was a decision made by previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in relation to centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire that has led to the midfielder's 'misuse' at Old Trafford.

It is claimed that Solskjaer felt Maguire and Lindelof needed a 'double screen' in front of them, hence the Norwegian's decision to rely upon Fred and McTominay regularly in a deeper midfield role.

And current boss Erik ten Hag is said to have made changing that tactical decision one of his main priorities upon his appointment at Old Trafford last summer.

Speaking after Scotland's win over Cyprus, McTominay hinted that he would like to be given more attacking responsibility at United.

He explained: "The [Scotland] manager [Steve Clarke] gives me a lot of freedom to get into the box and potentially make things happen.

"Obviously he has shown a lot of faith in me and I just want to make things happen."