Scott McTominay has revealed he nearly left Manchester United on loan but believes his patience in waiting for his chance has paid off.
The Scotland international made his debut for United when Jose Mourinho was in charge, coming off the bench during a Premier League fixture against Arsenal in May 2017.
McTominay has gone to become a regular fixture in the United side, especially under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and has made 74 appearances in all competitions.
The 23-year-old had seen several of his United team-mates, including Jesse Lingard, sent out on loan to gain first-team experience elsewhere before returning to Old Trafford.
But McTominay insists he wanted to prove he could make it as a United player before heading elsewhere.
“About a year-and-a-half ago, there was a time when it might have been a possibility but then somebody else leaves or something like that,“ McTominay told the UTD Podcast.
“And then your opportunity comes and you have to take it.
"You hear loads of stories about boys going on loan and I always had it in my head that I don’t want that. I want to be showing myself here first and, if it doesn’t work here, then you go somewhere else."
McTominay gave some insight into how United are encouraging players coming through the academy to maintain a level head and respect those working to make their lives easier.
“For me, you hear the stories about getting the life of luxury at Manchester United and people take that for granted; like the food in the canteen, your kit being laid out for you every morning," he added.
"People just expect that and you have to always remember where you came from, in that respect, and always appreciate what people do for you. I feel like that is the culture that is brought through for us.”
