Manchester United ace can justify club's £30million transfer decision vs West Ham

There's an alternate universe not too far away in which Scott McTominay would be wearing claret and blue at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The build up to Manchester United's Premier League trip to West Ham would have been dominated by talk of festive reunions. David Moyes against the club he managed and McTominay walking out to face the team he grew up with.

West Ham were the most heavily linked club with McTominay, whose future at United remained uncertain right up until the summer transfer window closed. Midfield additions at Old Trafford were aplenty and he was indeed up for sale.

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Such was Moyes' intent to lure a fellow Scot to Old Trafford that he sanctioned a £30million bid in August, but a pre-season injury for Kobbie Mainoo left United hesitant to cash in too soon and be left with regret. They rejected the bid West Ham moved on.

United signed Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat over the summer and McTominay's early-season influence was negligible. He was left on the bench during the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham in August in a game that was crying out for his energy, with Gary Neville insisting the 27-year-old was being 'managed out' of the club.

Starts continued to be fleeting for McTominay but two goals in four minutes off the bench against Brentford flipped the narrative. He has started 13 of the 14 matches since - having been rested for the Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle - and been United's best player in that period.

In good times and bad, McTominay stood up to be counted. His goals have been crucial on the pitch and the courage to front issues in front of the