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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Alan Shearer explains Scott McTominay's key status at Manchester United

Scott McTominay has been praised as Manchester United's key organisational player by Premier League legend Alan Shearer.

The BBC pundit highlighted the 24-year-old's work-rate and defensive discipline in United's draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

Along with defensive midfield partner, Fred, McTominay has been much maligned this season — with many United fans calling for both of them to be dropped under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ahead of Ralf Rangnick's appointment though, both McTominay and Fred shone against Chelsea, working diligently in front of the back four.

And Shearer picked out the Scottish international as a key player for United in that regard.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Shearer said: "What he did well is something that they've obviously worked on in the last few days — reducing the number of times players were able to get in behind them.

"He dropped in almost as a third centre-back to help Wan-Bissaka stop their wing-backs.

"United had a bit of luck throughout the game, but they deserved it by the way they set up.

The Premier League all-time top scorer recently stated that his belief that the United players stopped running for Solskjaer.

Shearer felt that things had gotten stale under Solskjaer's management, with certain players not putting in the necessary work-rate to succeed in the Premier League.

Shearer said: "I said a few weeks ago that I thought the players had stopped running for Ole.

"Whatever they have said on the training pitch since his dismissal has worked and they've responded to a new voice."

United will face in-form Arsenal on Thursday, though it has been confirmed that Rangnick will not be in charge of the game.

The club hope to have the German in the dugout for the Crystal Palace clash on Sunday.

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