Man Utd fans incensed over key McTominay incident in defeat to Bayern Munich
When Erik ten Hag summoned Scott McTominay from the bench during Manchester United's 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich, the Red Devils boss already knew he was in trouble.
With the score 3-1 to Bayern and the hosts only looking more likely to extend their lead, McTominay had just under half an hour to make an impact and help United salvage something from their Champions League opener. But a moment 10 minutes after the Scotland international entered the fray in place of the struggling Christian Eriksen will've made Ten Hag realise the depth of his ongoing crisis, all while enraging supporters.
After taking a heavy touch on the edge of Bayern's penalty area when he had the chance to slot Marcus Rashford in on goal, McTominay was dispossessed by determined defender Dayot Upamecano, who strode forward nearly the full length of the pitch to set up Kingsley Coman for a chance. Behind him was McTominay - jogging.
The 26-year-old, who boasts more than 200 senior appearances for the Red Devils, ambled back towards the halfway line as Upamecano got further and further away from him, running through a gaping chasm in United's midfield. When his opponent laid the ball off for Coman, McTominay was nowhere to be seen, forcing Andre Onana to make a decent save and keep his side in it before they fell to a deflating 4-3 defeat.
Fans watched on with fury and what was most damning was just how surprised they were. Praised throughout the years for his attitude on and off the pitch, and a work rate which legendary Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone once labelled "incredible," McTominay's apparent lack of desire to help his team-mates was startling.
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"This is disgusting from McTominay," one user raged. "Loses the ball in a dangerous area after being on the pitch for just 5 minutes (sic), but no motivation whatsoever to chase down Upamecano who's been on the pitch the whole game. He did same against Brighton. Embarrassing."
With Manchester United losing 3-1, Scott McTominay lost possession high up the field (X/@NicholasRyan89)"The bare minimum is you track back after losing the ball," another stated, echoing the thoughts of fans worldwide. "This is appalling from McTominay."
A third added: "I always try give players the benefit of the doubt but he was a sub so should have been fresh He usually is someone who gives it their all. Strange one but that CANNOT happen."
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Scott McTominay only ambled back as Dayot Upamecano raced away (X/@NicholasRyan89)Some Red Devils supporters were so stunned by the moment, which has now gone viral, they've suggested that McTominay's lapse hints at an underlying issue between player and club, having not been sold during the summer transfer window while two midfielders - Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat - were brought in. West Ham submitted a £30million bid for his services in August but United turned it down, as they have done with previous offers from other interested clubs.
Theorising why the former United academy star seemingly gave up after so little time on the pitch, a concerned fan declared: "I'd characterise something like this as a silent mutiny by a player."
Another claimed: "Looks like he has given up after those advanced talks with West Ham. He must be praying for a January exit from this circus. I wouldn't blame him or any other player who wants out tbh."
One made a point of suggesting a reason why McTominay might've been instructed by Ten Hag not to chase back hurriedly. "Must have been told to stay up or in the middle," they wrote. "Under this much scrutiny at the moment United, he can't possibly think he gets away with that??"
McTominay did little else to tame supporters' anger throughout the remainder of his performance, only completing three passes amongst a measly eight touches. The box-to-box midfielder has played more minutes for his country than the Red Devils this season, signalling how far down the pecking order Ten Hag has put him.
Regardless of whether it was Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick in charge, rarely has McTominay felt the fan base's wrath because his poor work rate. Perhaps he'll feel targeted given that throughout the Champions League clash and in other fixtures this season, plenty of his team-mates were equally as poor when it came to tracking back and demonstrating their commitment.
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But in Munich, as Ten Hag watched his side slump to a third consecutive defeat ahead of a testing trip to Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, McTominay was responsible for one worrying sign which suggests that Ten Hag could end up suffering the same fate as his predecessors.
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