BIRMINGHAM, England — Erik ten Hag appears to have found a winning formula at Manchester United, clinching five victories in the last six matches, including a crucial 2-1 triumph against Aston Villa on Sunday. Despite the availability of key players, it's the unsought Scott McTominay who consistently steps up when the team needs it the most.
Scott McTominay stands out in Europe's major leagues, leading in winning goals scored within the final 30 minutes of a match this season. The Scottish midfielder, initially considered for transfer to West Ham United last summer, yet again made a decisive impact at Villa Park with an 86th-minute header from Diogo Dalot‘s cross, securing the win for United.
McTominay's late-game heroics have not only secured crucial points for United but have also reignited their hopes of climbing into the top four for a Champions League spot. Currently, United is six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and five behind Villa. Without Sunday's victory, closing this gap would have seemed insurmountable.
Scott [McTominay] is great. He can score many goals. He's always coming into positions to score goals. We had problems, it was too much like a tennis match, we had problems in the counterattack, but we knew Scott would get into the box and can score goals.”
Erik ten Hag
United's season has been marked by chaos and inconsistency, evident in their goal difference finally reaching zero after 24 games. Despite nine league defeats, the possibility of a top-four finish still exists. Ten Hag's optimism during the challenging period, citing the return of injured players as a turning point, seems to be materializing.
Players like Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw, crucial to Ten Hag's plans, have returned, contributing to United's five wins and one draw since January. However, challenges persist, with injuries affecting key players like Martínez, and doubts about the form of Marcus Rashford, who continues to struggle with decision-making near the goal.
While United rode their luck at Villa, there are signs of improvement and consistency in team selection. Højlund's goal-scoring form, Mainoo's emergence, and improved results indicate progress. However, Ten Hag acknowledges the work in progress, with areas like Rashford's form, Casemiro's adaptation, and defensive vulnerabilities still requiring attention.
With 14 games remaining, United's task is clear, and the recent win against Villa has given them a fighting chance for a remarkable turnaround in their season. Ten Hag summarized the importance of the victory, stating, “It is a massive win for us. We've got closer, and that was the aim for today. That was absolutely our target, and we've done it.
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