---
title: "Manchester United: Scott McTominay should become a centre-back, says Tony Cascarino"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-scott-mctominay-should-become-a-centre-back-says-tony-cascarino/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Features"
published: "2019-11-03T20:55:18Z"
modified: "2019-11-03T20:55:18Z"
---

# Manchester United: Scott McTominay should become a centre-back, says Tony Cascarino

**Former footballer Tony Cascarino believes Manchester United’s Scott McTominay would benefit from a change of position to centre-back, after criticising the Red Devils’ midfield.**

Speaking on [TalkSPORT](https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1190968082283597824) after United’s defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, Cascarino felt that the team’s midfield was not good enough – and although he rated McTominay higher than midfield partner Fred, the pundit advised the 22-year-old to make a rather unorthodox switch.

He said: “From what I’ve seen of Man United, I’m watching them run around, chase, fight for balls – they’re not good enough.

“The two midfielders – I think McTominay’s okay, \[but\] Fred and McTominay are not a partnership to lead Manchester United in midfield.

“I think \[McTominay’s\] not bad, but you’re talking about Manchester United being ‘not bad’ in midfield. I think he’s far better than Fred.

“I actually see McTominay as a centre-half. I look at him every time and come away thinking ‘you’d be far better off being a centre-half’, because he does a lot of things that centre-halves do well.”

There is no doubt that McTominay is defensive-minded – with the midfielder often being [deployed in a deeper role](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scott-mctominay/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/315969/plus/0?saison=2019&verein=985&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) this season.

He has even played at centre-back for Manchester United before – on a [couple of occasions in the 2018/19 campaign](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scott-mctominay/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/315969/plus/0?saison=&verein=985&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=3&trainer_id=).

As for his individual attributes, WhoScored ranks [blocking shots and aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/336915/Show/Scott-McTominay) among his positive traits – the latter of which is a current weakness of teammate [Eric Bailly](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/243814/Show/Eric-Bailly).

Therefore, he could arguably have something to offer United at centre-back, with the Scotsman making more [tackles against Bournemouth (7)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1375982/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2019-2020-Bournemouth-Manchester-United) than the entire United defence combined (6) – which is perhaps what caught Cascarino’s eye this weekend.

He has also made the [third-most tackles per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United) in the Premier League among his United teammates and has made more [interceptions per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United) than Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young to name a few.

So perhaps Cascarino is on to something, though whether McTominay would be so willing having nailed down a starting place in centre-midfield remains to be seen.

\[freshpress-poll id=”256724″\]

***United fans, would playing McTominay as a centre-back be worth a try? Join the discussion in the comments below!***