Why Scott McTominay misses Manchester United’s final pre-season tour match against Aston Villa

Manchester United will be without midfielder Scott McTominay for the final match for their pre-season tour of Australia, with the Scot carrying a minor injury.

The Red Devils have spent the last two weeks in Asia and Australia as they ramp up their preparations ahead of the new season and take on fellow Premier League side Aston Villa on Saturday in Perth.

There had been some concerns that the match might not go ahead, with heavy rain overnight leaving the pitch looking cut up and waterlogged.

But after extensive efforts to drain the excess water and dry the pitch, the match was given the go-ahead.

One player who will not be taking part, however, is McTominay, with the midfielder – who has featured extensively under Erik ten Hag in pre-season – left out as a precaution.

MUTV explained: ‘McTominay misses out, he’s just got a little niggle. He trained this morning but they don’t want to risk him in this match.’

United still have two weeks and two more friendlies to go before the new Premier League campaign kicks off, with matches against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano next weekend.

Applauding the decision not to risk McTominay, club legend Andy Cole told MUTV: ‘It’s pre-season. You’re going to have plenty of games this season.

‘If you miss one game and can play next week, then let’s do just that. Let’s be clever about the injury because so far we’ve been really good.

‘Yes, a few of the boys have missed out due to illness, but we’ve picked up no injuries on the tour and I think that’s a big positive.’

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