Scott McTominay sends message to Erik ten Hag with Manchester United heroics vs Brentford

McTominay's moments of magic

In a parallel universe, Scott McTominay's 21-year association with Manchester United could have come to an end this summer. It's no secret he was on the list of players who could have left the club.

When Kobbie Mainoo returns to fitness, McTominay might find himself further down the pecking order, having also seen Sofyan Amrabat take one potential route to the team away from him.

But on an afternoon when the era of Sir Alex Ferguson was on the mind of those inside Old Trafford, it felt fitting that the kind of academy graduate Ferguson would always have found room for rescued United from the depths of despair against Brentford.

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Ferguson once told Jose Mourinho to play McTominay, at a memorial for the Munich disaster in 2018, and the Scot's passion, versatility and low-key nature would have endeared him to his countryman.

McTominay might have to wait for his chances now, but he is reliable and understands the club. Even as a third-choice, he is worth having around.

When Ten Hag summoned for him here after 87 minutes it felt like a poisoned chalice. Ten minutes later the Stretford End were chanting his name. McTominay's impact was astonishing. Ferguson would have approved.

Onana's errors

Opposition teams will soon be adopting a shot-on-sight policy at Andre Onana after another blunder from the United goalkeeper against Brentford.

It was a catastrophic goal to concede for a variety of reasons, but Onana should have done better in stopping Mathias Jensen's low shot, which went into the middle of the goal. He got a significant hand to it, but let the ball bobble underneath it.

To rub salt into