Fans anticipating Sunday afternoon's clash between Manchester United and Liverpool have expressed mixed feelings regarding Scott McTominay's inclusion in the Red Devils' starting lineup. The academy graduate was handed his first starting berth under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Nemanja Matic was ruled out of the encounter with an injury.
Prior to the arrival of Solskjaer, McTominay was handed three Premier League starts under Jose Mourinho in games against West Ham, Southampton and Newcastle. The outcomes of the matches were 3-1, 2-2 and 3-2, respectively.
With McTominay's impact having been meagerly felt in the above proceedings, fans have questioned Solskjaer's decision to give him the nod ahead of Brazilian pair Andreas Pereira and Fred. Addressing his decision to include the Scot in the starting lineup ahead of the match, the Norwegian manager declared: "Scott [McTominay] has played these games before.
He's an academy kid who knows the importance of these games. He's got some of the same attributes that Nemanja [Matic] has so I'm sure he'll slot in there and do well."
#MUFC TEAM NEWS
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 24, 2019
Two changes from our victory over Chelsea...
On a positive note, Jesse Lingard was named on the bench after missing the previous clash with Chelsea with an injury. However, Anthony Martial – who was also amiss in the FA Cup win over the Blues failed to make the matchday squad.
On the other hand, Liverpool named a strong eleven featuring their usual big names.
Why did we buy Fred if he can't even start ahead of McTominay?
— The United Link (@TheUnitedLink) February 24, 2019
McTominay absolutely reduces the speed of the game.
Matic out is a big, big blow. McTominay with the biggest game of his short career so far. As a youth product, there's no need to motivate him in a game against our arch rivals Liverpool. Let's get behind him
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) February 24, 2019
Scott McTominay's game by numbers vs. Liverpool last season:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 24, 2019
85.7% pass accuracy
9 ball recoveries
4 interceptions
3 fouls suffered
2 tackles won
The natural replacement if Matic misses out? pic.twitter.com/RkWYdg7IdZ
No Matic is a big issue for United. Martial out too. The lack of ready options in United's midfield has to be addressed in the summer.But United beat Chelsea & Liverpool comfortably at OT last season with McTominay so we'll have to wait & see.Martial is never a big miss really.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) February 24, 2019
In the three league games McTominay has started in this season, #mufc have conceded two goals in the first-half of each game.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 24, 2019
You have to be worried about Fred if he's been bought in for a significant amount of money and he's not called in over Pereira and now McTominay.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) February 24, 2019
Interesting McTominay starts ahead of Fred. Loads of interest in taking the Scot on loan last month but Fellaini's exit blocked that.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 24, 2019