29 March 2023 , 09:02
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It's probably safe to assume that Scott McTominay has thoroughly enjoyed the international break.
In a week where Scotland began their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with two tricky fixtures, the Manchester United midfielder has stepped up and played an influential role to inspire Steve Clarke's side to a dream start to life in Group A.
First, McTominay bagged a brace in Scotland's 3-0 win over Cyprus at the weekend: a match they were expected to win. But the 26-year-old took things to another level on Tuesday night when he scored twice again to down former world champions Spain at Hampden Park.
As well as McTominay's heroics were received in Scotland, it's probably a safe bet to assume they were duly noted at Old Trafford, too.
While McTominay has starred on the international stage, his career has somewhat stagnated at club level: The Manchester United academy graduate has started just seven Premier League games under Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman revamped his midfield in the summer with the acquisitions of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
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And McTominay revealed just before the turn of the year that Ten Hag had already told him how he could muscle his way back into the starting XI: goal contributions.
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McTominay scored four goals for Scotland during the international break but is out of favour at Old Trafford (Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)Speaking at a fan event back in December, McTominay revealed: "I should score more goals. The manager has actually spoken to me about that and shown me little clips and little ways I can be more effective in the game: making assists, scoring goals.
"If you do certain little details, then you can get yourself in those positions more often. I know that I can do it. I’ve always liked to fancy myself that I can score goals and stuff like that, so it’s important I keep practising."
McTominay has managed just two goals in 32 appearances this season for United and has even been linked with a summer move, with Newcastle reportedly interested in acquiring in him. But as he proved during the international break with his four-goal haul, he is more than capable of meeting Ten Hag's demands and re-establishing himself as a first-team regular.
McTominay revealed he had been challenged to add goals and assists to his game by Erik ten Hag back in DecemberSpeaking after his brace against Spain, McTominay stressed that he "knows" he can rise to the challenge of affecting games in front of goal - even if he has evolved into a more conservative midfield player since progressing into the first-team ranks.
He told Viaplay after the win over Spain: “As a kid, I was an attacking midfielder - I like to get in the box. I've got to keep doing that, I know I can add more goals and assists to my game.
“Everyone was at it, diving around, making the game slow. It's difficult, but sometimes that's the way it's got to be. When you're winning you've got to do stuff like that. Look at this place - I've never seen anything like it, it's incredible!
“The manager said this is our chance to create legacies as Scotland players and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that people remember. We can't thank the fans enough.”