Manchester United’s Premier League season has finally come to an end, concluding a challenging campaign for Erik ten Hag and his squad. The Dutch manager faced numerous obstacles throughout the season but was unable to deliver the success the club hoped for. However, there is still hope for a brighter future, particularly if United can overcome their city rivals, Manchester City, in the upcoming FA Cup final at Wembley.
For now, though, the team must reflect on their underwhelming league performance. As it stands, Manchester United sits eighth in the table with 60 points, falling eight points short of the top four and an astonishing 31 points behind the league leaders, Manchester City. These numbers highlight the gap between United and the league’s elite and raise pressing questions about how the club can address its shortcomings.
One potential solution could involve replacing Ten Hag, though it might be wise to wait and assess the impact of the incoming INEOS leadership during the summer. While the club has invested heavily in recent years, it’s clear that a single transfer window will not solve all of United’s issues. Nevertheless, the new ownership could bring fresh strategies and improvements.
Before the summer overhaul begins, however, the focus remains on the FA Cup final at Wembley. The team selection for such a crucial match will be vital, and there is a growing argument that Scott McTominay should be excluded from the starting lineup.
McTominay’s season has been a mixed bag, much like United’s overall campaign. Although there was speculation last summer about a possible move to West Ham, the Scottish midfielder stayed at Old Trafford and delivered a respectable season by some measures. He scored ten goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, a decent tally considering his previous career total of 29 goals at the age of 27.
Despite this, McTominay’s performances have lacked consistency. He has struggled to make a significant impact at crucial moments, and his form in the latter stages of the season has been particularly underwhelming. For example, during United’s 2-0 victory over Brighton, his contributions were heavily criticized. Club media personality Mark Goldbridge went as far as to say that McTominay “offered nothing” in midfield.
This criticism, while harsh, is not entirely unwarranted. In the Brighton match, McTominay missed one of the game’s clearest scoring opportunities. Set up by Bruno Fernandes, he failed to control the ball properly and sent his shot high and wide from a promising position inside the box. Such moments exemplify why many believe United might benefit from leaving him out of the lineup for the FA Cup final.
