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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Scott McTominay tunnel cam footage suggests Erik ten Hag and Man Utd are making mistake

There is no denying that Scott McTominay has his limitations as a footballer, but there's a chance Manchester United could be allowing him to leave too soon.

The Scotland international has been linked with a number of clubs so far this summer, with all three of Everton, Newcastle and West Ham touted with a move for the midfielder. At this stage, it is the Toffees who look the most likely to land his signature, but there is still plenty of the window left to go.

Manager Erik ten Hag is aiming to bring in a host of new signings, including a new striker to lead the line, a new midfielder and a new goalkeeper amid uncertainty surrounding David de Gea's future. As a result, McTominay is one of 13 players who are up for sale should their price tag be met in the coming weeks.

However, in a squad that many have argued lacks leadership and big presences in the dressing room, would permitting McTominay's exit be a mistake? He certainly feels comfortable enough to take on a more senior role within the group.

McTominay has plenty of experience and has played under a number of different managers at Old Trafford, including Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and of course Ten Hag.

Take one incident in the tunnel while under the reign of Solskjaer for example, back when United were trailing 2-0 away from home in the Champions League against the in-form Atalanta. Tunnel cam footage at half-time picked up plenty of the United players looking sheepish as they re-emerged for the second half.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Ten Hag keep McTominay at Man Utd? Comment below

Scott McTominay showed his leadership qualities in the tunnel before Man United's clash with Atalanta (BT Sport)

McTominay was heard shouting "Let's go! Let's go!" as almost every other member of the squad prepared to walk out onto the playing surface in complete silence. The fact that the United academy graduate even reappeared for the second half is impressive.

He was on a yellow card, but Solskjaer instead opted to hook Paul Pogba, which told fans all they needed to know about who the then-Red Devils boss thought he could trust.

It is also not only Solskjaer who thought very highly of McTominay, his interim successor Rangnick thought the Scotland ace could even don the armband for United one day.

"He is an academy boy, his energy is amazing," he told BBC Sport of McTominay back in January of last year. "He now also starts scoring goals and also with some leadership skills. I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of years, he would be the captain of this team."

If Ten Hag has his way, Rangnick's prediction will be nothing short of a distant memory.

No one else is expecting him to become captain, but there is surely room in Ten Hag's plans for a player who offers plenty off the pitch as well as on it.

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