Scott McTominay’s goalscoring exploits for Scotland have led Manchester United fans to draw the same conclusion.
In near farcical rainy conditions, McTominay netted his country’s second goal as Scotland claimed a 2-0 win over Georgia.
The victory sees Steve Clarke’s side go eight points clear of both Tuesday’s opponents and Norway as they reach the halfway point in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.
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McTominay’s thumping finish after the break was his fifth in the group. Indeed, Erling Haaland and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are both trailing in McTominay's wake in the scoring charts.
Only Rasmus Hojlund has scored more goals (six) than McTominay in qualifying, while the United defensive midfielder has netted as many times as Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane.
All of the 26-year-old’s goals in qualifying have seen McTominay arrive late into the box and smash the ball in, which has led United fans on social media to call for a change in position.
McTominay as an attacking midfielder?
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Several United fans have called for McTominay to be utilised in a more attacking role for United.
One Twitter user, RunkeGlenn, said: “Him playing most of his career as a DM (defensive midfielder) is such a big mistake. He is a box-to-box midfielder.”
Meanwhile, Kam Athwal tweeted: “He's not a 6 and 8. He's a goal-scoring 10! Further into the opposition box, he gets the better.
“Instead of [Wout] Weghorst, we should have even tried him as a pressing forward.”
Tronny Depp added, via Twitter: “Honestly think he’s meant to be an advanced eight. He’s that good in and around the box and in terms of ball-striking.”
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Prana Adisapoetra simply tweeted: “I think we've been using Mctominay wrong all this time.”
Former Scotland forward James McFadden agreed with the online consensus, insisting that “we are getting to see the best of Scott McTominay" when he represents his country due to the players' more advanced role.
"Of late, he’s been more advanced, been allowed to get forward and he has such power in his running," McFadden told the BBC.
"Even when he’s getting in those areas, his finishing is outstanding, it really is. Left foot, on the stretch, always going away from him and he just bends it into the near post. He doesn’t panic. A tremendous finish.
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"When he plays for Manchester United he’s a defensive midfielder either in a one or a two. When he was playing there it was with Fred, who is similar in that he’s better going forward.
"McTominay is going to play there because he’s asked to play there. When he’s coming away with Scotland he’s free to go on the attack. I think you get that freedom to go and express yourself and we are getting to see the best of Scott McTominay in a Scotland jersey.
"His history was playing as an attacking player, as a striker or a number 10 and you can see why."
Topics: Football, Scott Mctominay, Scotland, Euro 2024, Manchester United
Chris Byfield