Scott McTominay could finally be about to fulfil Thierry Henry's prediction at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag might have wanted to move away from him but there can be no denying that Scott McTominay must be in the starting XI when Manchester United next take to the field.

McTominay easily could have left the club in the summer. Ten Hag wanted United to be ruthless in cutting down the squad and the midfielder was close to being on the list of those up for sale. The fact he was the club's youngest senior midfielder prior to Mason Mount's arrival saved his skin while Fred was sold instead.

Yet, the signing of Mount and then Sofyan Amrabat pushed McTominay further down the pecking order and made it clear he was only going to be a squad player. Or so it seemed.

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Everyone has a plan until half your squad gets injured and you suffer a terrible, optimism-draining start to the new season. Then you have to adapt and find a winning solution anywhere you can.

McTominay might not be fashionable. He might not embody the passing play Ten Hag wants to implement. But he is the only player United have who is in great form and is full of confidence.

The midfielder's two late goals against Brentford to give United a desperately-needed win don't suddenly make him a world-beater, but it's startling just how much self-belief can push a player beyond their usual capacity. McTominay backed up his brace with a stunning free-kick for Scotland which was harshly disallowed but he scored it from an angle you wouldn't even be able to picture him shooting from unless you saw the footage.

McTominay still managed to help his country secure Euro 2024 qualification and his six goals in the campaign