Manchester United's Scott McTominay says he owes former manager Jose Mourinho for kickstarting his career — though revealed the pair initially got off on the wrong foot.
Mourinho left Old Trafford last December widely disliked by supporters, but is remembered fondly by Manchester United might have a ready-made replacement for Ander Herrera who is now reaping the rewards under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Portuguese famously gave McTominay an unexpected award — Manager's Player of the Year — at the end of last season and the Scot was a favourite under him.
And McTominay has now told the Times why he'll always be grateful to Mourinho.
“Jose was amazing for me,” he said.
“Though when I first came in Jose gave me a serious, serious b******ing. I was arguing with one of the first team lads in training and he said ‘hey, kid, when you come into the first team, the other players — they have to like you.’
“'You’re not a superstar', he said and I drove back to digs thinking ‘have I just ruined it for myself? I couldn’t believe it.
"I thought 'I hope he knows I don’t think I’m a star, I’m the polar opposite.’ He probably just wanted to see what I was made of, what sort of lad he had on his hands.
“You’re liked by what you do on the pitch and how you are off the pitch and I feel Mourinho saw something in me at a time some people did and some people didn’t, and I’m grateful.”
McTominay also revealed he's still in touch with Mourinho and, no matter what his legacy at United, will always consider him an 'amazing' boss.
“He texts me and we have a good relationship," he added.
"I was sad when he left but football moves on. He is an amazing manager but we have another amazing manager in Ole.”
Manchester United might have a ready-made replacement for Ander Herrera
