---
title: "Unsung Hero: Scott McTominay stands tall in first away win since March for Manchester United"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/unsung-hero-scott-mctominay-stands-tall-in-first-away-win-since-march-for-manchester-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2019-10-25T17:20:02Z"
modified: "2019-10-25T17:20:02Z"
---

# Unsung Hero: Scott McTominay stands tall in first away win since March for Manchester United

**Manchester United beat Partizan Belgrade 1-0 to win their first away game in all competitions for the first time since [March](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50119152), with one player performing really well in midfield.**

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Unsung-heros.png)

[Anthony Martial](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50119152) scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot late in the first-half on his return to the starting line up for the Red Devils.

There were numerous good performances from many United players in a difficult night for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

Phil Jones won six aerial duels and attempted five tackles as he was rated by [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427152/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Partizan-Belgrade-Manchester-United) as the best player on the night.

Harry Maguire also performed valiantly for the north-west side in a difficult encounter. The former Leicester City man [made the most clearances and won the second-most aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427152/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Partizan-Belgrade-Manchester-United) in a key defensive display.

However, it was [£18m-rated](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scott-mctominay/leistungsdaten/spieler/315969/plus/0?saison=2019) Scott McTominay in the middle of the park who provided the team with both defensive solidity and a key threat pushing forward into attacking areas.

Let’s start off in defensive positions, where the Scotland international made the [most interceptions and the joint-most blocks](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427152/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Partizan-Belgrade-Manchester-United) as he shielded the back four well. This limited Partizan to just [two shots on target](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427152/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Partizan-Belgrade-Manchester-United), as he made an effective contribution to the side.

However, it was his passing which proved to be the biggest asset to the Old Trafford giants. The Scotsman [completed 86% of his passes](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427152/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Partizan-Belgrade-Manchester-United), the joint-third highest out of the United side. McTominay also played more than [55% of those passes forward,](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427152/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Partizan-Belgrade-Manchester-United) showing his willingness to push the team into attacking areas.

The [Manchester Evening News](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-ratings-brandon-williams-17142394) agreed with this assessment as they gave the 22-year-old a six out of 10, commenting on his impact from midfield.

They said: “Endeavoured to offer some thrust from midfield but was guilty of overplaying it at times and missed an easy header.” [(Source: MEN)](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-ratings-brandon-williams-17142394)

\[freshpress-poll id=”252945″\]

***Manchester United fans, what have you made of McTominay’s improvement from last season to this season? Let us know your thoughts!***