Most Manchester United supporters expect Jose Mourinho to bring in at least one defensive reinforcement this summer.
With Phil Jones linked with a move to Everton and a couple of United centre-halves flattering to deceive at stages this season, Mourinho is expected to go hunting for a regular partner for the Red Devils’ most reliable central defender, Eric Bailly.
But, if you ask the former director of United’s youth academy, the club already has a ready-made centre-half in their ranks.
Scott McTominay has been a revelation for Mourinho this term, going from unheralded prospect to regularly starting with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba in midfield.
McTominay, who recently pledged his international allegiances to Scotland, was just 5ft 6ins three years ago but he has shot up to a monstrous 6ft 4ins in no time at all and is a crucial part of United’s defensive set-up during opposition set pieces.
Mourinho loves a powerful player and he’s certainly got that in McTominay but Brian McClair, who used to be in charge of the club’s academy, thinks that the 21-year-old’s future lies in the heart of defence.
“Football is not a difficult game,” McClair told Manchester Evening News. “As Bill Shankly said: Just learn to control the ball, pass it and move.
“That’s the same principle as Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s not a terrible habit to pass the ball to someone with the same colour shirt.
“Scott’s done that so far and that’s effective if you keep the ball. You can see that the majority of games are won by teams that keep the ball.
“Long term I can see Scott being a really top centre-back. He played there when he was younger.
“He’s a football player, but he’s also a physical specimen. I think he could be an all-rounder, but I think he could see him being a centre-back.”
