Today’s world is full of analysis. Whether it be films, footballers, or literature. Everything is analysed, and analysed again. Analysis is then done on the analysis. In sport, we have pre-match analysis, post-match analysis, and even in-game analysis.

Our systemic obsession with ratings and rankings overlooks that which is intangible. Readily available statistical analysis ensures that footballers are judged on their goals, assists, blocks, tackles, and interceptions. You get the picture. Yet those qualities which cannot be ranked on a mere scale from one to ten go amiss. I understand the irresolute nature of arguing for things which cannot be quantified, but I want to problematise our constant numericising of the footballing sphere.

In 2022, football is no longer just about the stadium and the supporters inside it. Nor is it about shirt sales across the globe, or even winning or losing. Football has become a game of opinions. For instance, The United Stand is a YouTube channel run by Manchester United fans, for Manchester United fans. The channel has over 1.4 million subscribers, and is regularly hosted by internet personality Mark Goldbridge. Goldbridge has gone viral for his ranting and raving about all things red. Many grown adults like me can acknowledge that this channel should appeal solely to pre-pubescent teens, arguing about football players as if they were top trumps. And yet the channel attracts viewers of all ages, genders, and nationalities.

"Jose Mourinho first referred to him as “The Kid”, but he has since grown to six foot four"

Having watched far more United Stand videos than I care to admit, one issue crops up more than most. That being, the supposed “hole” in Manchester United’s midfield. I am here to argue not that McTominay is the second coming of Lionel Messi, but that he deserves a place in Manchester United’s star-studded line up. And crucially, to argue that he does not warrant the criticism he receives. 

For those of you not so acquainted with the Manchester United squad (and that have made it this far), Scott McTominay is a 25-year old midfielder for Manchester United. He has made over 100 appearances since his debut in 2017. Jose Mourinho first referred to him as “The Kid”, but he has since grown to six foot four. He is strong, robust, energetic, and passionate. So why don’t people rate him?

United Stand viewers chime that his passes aren’t progressive enough, and that he isn’t creative enough. That he doesn’t have the technical ability of other elite players. Crucially, they cannot fathom why he has now been first choice under four different managers. It seems there are thousands who don’t believe in him, and only five people that do. Mr. Fraser, Mr. Mourinho, Mr. Solskjaer, Mr. Rangnick, and Mr. Ten Hag. Aside from one dossing-final year MML student, his admirers have all had relative success at the highest level of the footballing pyramid. 

What do they see in McTominay? They see determination, desire, and passion. Manchester United’s first game of the season resulted in a 2-1 loss to Brighton. McTominay started the match and picked up a yellow card after just 25 minutes. With United 2-0 down at half time, pundits were calling for Mctominay to be substituted, in favour of football’s poster boy, Cristiano Ronaldo. But instead, he remained on the pitch far longer than his midfield partner Fred, despite his Brazilian teammate not running the risk of a second yellow. Why? Because McTominay channels the spirit so often lacking in the modern game. He will run himself into the ground. Over the 21/22 Premier League season, he ran nine kilometres more than his midfield counterpart, World Cup winner Paul Pogba. All whilst earning over £200,000 less than him, per week. Why do I mention money? Because money matters.

"Even now, the red side of Manchester has far too many characters whose ego would leave even Freud lost for words"

Off the field issues are inextricably linked to poor performances off-the-pitch. Manchester United’s disastrous season last year perfectly underpins this dynamic, as dressing room spats turned public. Rumour has it that two cliques formed in the squad, with high profile players such as Ronaldo and Harry Maguire falling in opposite cliques. McTominay, however, not only didn’t belong to a clique, but spoke out against the lack of togetherness in the camp.

Nowadays, however, with media stardom, image, brand deals and the like, players like McTominay don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. Under Mourinho, he was labelled a workhorse. Under Solskjaer a teacher’s pet. Many members of the United Stand were astonished that in Ten Hag’s first match in charge, he favoured McTominay over Van de Beek, despite the Dutch pair’s successful relationship at Ajax. 

My argument is not that McTominay is the best footballer in the world. Nor is he the best footballer at Manchester United. But amidst calls that United need to buy another best-in-class Midfielder, I affirm that this method has been tried to no avail. The post-Ferguson era has been characterised by the purchase of players who were supposedly best in class, and yet have performed nowhere near the level expected. Even now, the red side of Manchester has far too many characters whose egos would leave even Freud lost for words. McTominay is a footballer who wants to do his talking on the pitch. Such players are few and far between on the red side of Manchester. Let “The Kid” play.