Manchester United's new undroppable is giving Erik ten Hag a tactical problem

McTominay's midas touch

You'd like to think Scott McTominay's days as a holding midfielder are over. Deployed almost exclusively as part of a double pivot for most of his United career, his threat in the opposition penalty area has been unleashed in recent months, to the point that he is now the leading scorer in this squad.

The Scot has six goals in 11 games from midfield but arguably sums up the contradiction in Ten Hag's squad. He is playing much higher up the pitch as part of the effort to play "brave, proactive, dynamic" football, but at times it's also leaving the side exposed.

None of this is McTominay's fault. He is doing what is asked of him and his threat in the opposition box is badly needed. No other United player is as in form in front of goal as the academy graduate and he took his opener against Chelsea superbly, controlling the ball quickly and finishing well. His header for his second was more routine and he could have easily had a hat-trick, with Robert Sanchez denying him once in either half.

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The first of those came when he made another excellent run into the penalty area to meet Bruno Fernandes' cross, but his header was saved at close range by Sanchez, who was in the right place for the follow-up to hit him as well. McTominay's presence as another attacking midfielder, making a run to the edge of the six-yard box, in advance of Fernandes, showed Ten Hag's intention to commit men forward.

The Dutchman defended that ethos yesterday and it should produce goals. The issue is United need to control games better and they have lacked the midfielders to do that this season. Sofyan Amrabat found it tough going at