Scott McTominay responds to criticism of Manchester United midfield

Scott McTominay said he understands why Manchester United's midfield has been criticised in recent years as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen in that area of the team this summer.

Ten Hag added Christian Eriksen to his squad this week, and work is ongoing to try and bring Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford after a fee was agreed with Barcelona.

The new United manager has resorted to a midfield pivot of Fred and McTominay in his opening pre-season matches, with teenagers Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal also given a chance to impress across both matches.

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Improving the midfield output will be as much about tactics as it will about new personnel next season, and McTominay understands why there was so much criticism last season.

“Of course there’s going to be criticism wherever you go in football," McTominay told reporters in Melbourne. "There’s criticism everywhere across the field.

“Obviously we've just lost two midfielders so we're going to have to probably… it's not up to who we sign or to discuss anything like that so..."

When quizzed on the possible arrival of De Jong this summer, the Scotland international remained coy, but insisted any new signing would be welcomed.

He added: “I've got no comments on new players who are coming in. There's going to be maybe four, five, six other guys who come into the football club, so I can't comment on who's coming in or what personnel is coming. It's not my business to do that.

“I know that whatever lads come in we’ll absolutely give our best to make sure that they feel welcome, and obviously it’ll help us push towards being a better team, which I'm sure they will do.”

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