Man United team-mate gives painful reasons why McTominay will hit target

Manchester United back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant has seen a significant change in Scott McTominay’s training methods, resulting in more goals on the pitch.

McTominay, 24, has made 115 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. The majority of those have been as a defensive midfielder.

Goals have been at a premium for the Scotland international as he bagged just five last season. But manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to let him roam further up the pitch has reaped rewards.

The Lancaster-born ace has already netted seven times in 2020-2021, with three in his last four games. And Grant feels he has unearthed the reason why.

McTominay and striker Marcus Rashford are the players that sting the keepers’ fingers most in training.

“We’ve got two players in particular at the moment who are standouts for how hard they hit the ball,” he told the club’s official website. “One in particular annoys me because in the last six months he’s been hitting the ball even harder than he was previously. Scott McTominay is leathering his shots in training.

“Scott’s mentality seems to have switched to: I’m gonna kill this ball, I want to explode this ball if I can.”

McTominay is now a real goal threat and Grant is happy to take the knocks if it helps his team-mate.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confused by VAR call

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confused by VAR call

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer questioned why the referee was asked to go to the monitor to look at a foul on Harry Maguire when he was initially offside anyway.

“The secondary aspect of that is that the ball ends up flying in the back of the net a lot more,” he added. “Long may it continue, this scoring run he’s on, even if it can be frustrating for us goalkeepers.”

Boss sets target

Solskjaer recently spoke about McTominay’s prowess in front of goal. The Norwegian feels the more help the forwards get from those just behind them, the better it is for the team.

“Adding goals from midfield is vital. Last season our three forwards were brilliant and scored goals, 60 odd, and Bruno came in and scored goals,” he said. “But we needed more goals from midfield. Scott has the ability to go box-to-box and he used to be a striker.

“If Scott can get to double figures that would be a very good season for a so called defensive midfielder.”

David de Gea, Lee Grant Man Utd

Rashford has netted 16 times in all competitions, with eight of those in the league. Bruno Fernandes tops the club’s goalscoring charts this term.

The Portugal ace has 14 top-flight strikes and another five in other competitions.

 

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