‘He’s proven to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he can be trusted’: Rio Ferdinand hails Scott McTominay’s performance for Manchester United against Barcelona as Owen Hargreaves says fine display was a ‘defining moment’ for starlet
On a pitch full of international stars — including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paul Pogba — it was a humble Scot who left Old Trafford with the most praise on Wednesday night.
Manchester United failed to register a single shot on target as they lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, but Scott McTominay was thoroughly impressive in midfield for the beaten hosts.
Former United captain Rio Ferdinand, working as a pundit for BT Sport, hailed McTominay and said the 22-year-old ‘was great’.
Manchester United’s No 39 Scott McTominay battles for the ball with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi
Ferdinand added: ‘He grew into the game. He’s grown in stature. Today, his energy, his intensity… he was the catalyst for a lot of good things that happened.
‘There are sometimes performances that make you grow in stature and make you feel part of the first-team.’
‘He’s added to his name. He was very, very good. He was positive, he was reliable, he was aggressive. He’s proven to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he can be trusted, which is vital for a young player.’
Ex-United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was also encouraged by what he saw from seven-time Scotland international McTominay.
McTominay climbs above Philippe Coutinho to win a header at Old Trafford on Wednesday
Hargreaves told BT Sport: ‘That’s a defining moment against Barcelona. That’s him now established. Really credit to him because that’s fantastic.
‘For a young man to be the best player on the pitch when Fred cost £50m, Pogba cost £90m, it’s incredible.’
Wednesday’s outing was McTominay’s second Champions League appearance of the season.
He has also featured in 12 Premier League games, including seven as a starter.
Rio Ferdinand in the BT Sport studio at Old Trafford for Wednesday’s Champions League game
