“The Argentinian lad is good but he’s just better. Stop benching him and Manchester United would start winning more” – Tim Sherwood encourages Erik ten Hag to include a ‘fantasy’ Manchester United player in the starting lineup instead of Alejandro Garnacho.

Erik ten Hag can now relax a bit, knowing that Manchester United have a genuine opportunity to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite the subpar showing at Aston Villa, what counts most is securing the three points and noting that the gap to fourth-placed Tottenham is just six points.

Credit for this goes to the invaluable substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, particularly Scott McTominay, who once again delivered a crucial moment for his team.

Tim Sherwood views the robust midfielder as an ideal fit for Erik ten Hag’s strategy and suggests he deserves a starting role at Manchester United, as expressed on Premier League Productions (12/02/24 at 5:40 pm).

While Sherwood acknowledges that Scott McTominay shouldn’t displace captain Bruno Fernandes in the starting lineup, he believes McTominay could be preferred over Alejandro Garnacho.

Since Garnacho typically operates on the flanks, this would necessitate tactical adjustments, potentially involving deploying Bruno Fernandes in a wider role, a position he has previously occupied.

Nevertheless, Sherwood commended the Scottish star for consistently rising to the occasion.

Should Scott McTominay be included in Manchester United’s starting lineup?
“The lad comes off the bench with a determined attitude to prove himself,” remarked Sherwood.

“In my view, he should be a regular starter for Manchester United. I would deploy him as an attacking midfielder. No, I wouldn’t replace Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno is an exceptional footballer. While his attitude may falter at times, his quality is undeniable.

Regarding who he would bench for McTominay: “Perhaps Garnacho, on occasion.

I believe McTominay could partner Hojlund up front. Hojlund might appreciate some support at times.

McTominay’s statistics speak for themselves.

“For a manager, he’s an absolute asset.”

Scott McTominay’s effectiveness seems to be more pronounced when he enters the game from the bench.

The reason for his intermittent starting role at Manchester United is attributable to his underwhelming performances when given the opportunity to start.

It’s worth mentioning that Manchester United’s current sixth-place position reflects their struggles for a significant portion of the season, although they have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Erik ten Hag would be wise to continue utilizing McTominay as a substitute, as it consistently yields positive results for the team.

Additionally, opponents are likely to apprehend and anticipate the impact McTominay can have when he enters the field, thereby bolstering Manchester United’s advantage.