Tim Sherwood believes Scott McTominay has what it takes to be Manchester United’s saviour of their next 4 matches without Casemiro. The Brazilian anchorman was near tears last Sunday when he received a straight red card following a VAR check which didn’t approve of his high tackle on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz.
As Casemiro was also sent off in early February for raising in his hands to Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes, he has now been slapped with an additional game suspension along with his three-match ban.
It means he’ll now miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this weekend along with Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
Within the view of former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Sherwood, McTominay has all of the tools required to fill the void of the previous Real Madrid man at the bottom of United’s midfield.
He said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday: “Every game is an enormous game name now. You may have teams fighting for survival and Newcastle chasing the highest 4.
“He’s [Casemiro] is a big miss, it isn’t only about what he gives you as a player nevertheless it’s the character in and across the dressing room.
“We touched on it a few weeks ago, this kid has come to United with a desire to win things that I didn’t think he would include.
“He’s quality as well, he has a passing range. It’s as much as any person to come back and step in now.
“I feel McTominay could be the reply, I actually do. He’s been restricted by an absence of game time but when you give him a plan, like this manager actually has of just staying where you’re, attempting to break things up, sticking to an actual basic role which I feel he can do, then I feel he’s able to filling in.
“But as soon as Casemiro comes back, he’s straight back into the team. That is the problem for anyone that fills in.”
McTominay’s long-term future at Old Trafford is doubtful with the Scotland international expected to be made available for transfer this summer.
Nevertheless, the industrious midfield is rated by Erik ten Hag, who gave him a run in his side right firstly of the Premier League season.
The 26-year-old even began ahead of Casemiro following the Brazilian’s transfer to Old Trafford as United were beaten by Brighton and Brentford of their opening two fixtures.
McTominay, who didn’t feature against Real Betis on Thursday, is believed to be a doubt for United’s FA Cup clash with Fulham this weekend though after he complained about a problem earlier this week.
Ten Hag said on Friday when quizzed on injuries inside his squad: “We just returned. We’ve got to see, to see the doc. I even have an idea but I even have to see the progress with some players.
“Concerning the last game, that’s the reason I didn’t bring him in, Scott McTominay, [as] he had some complaints. We’ve got to see how that may progress in the approaching hours and days.”
McTominay has featured 18 times within the Premier League for United this season, collecting six yellow cards.
