Scott McTominay reveals Erik ten Hag's instructions that led to Man Utd comeback win
- Man Utd came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday
- Scott McTominay scored twice in stoppage time to seal enthralling win
- Erik ten Hag introduced midfielder as a substitute late in the day
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has revealed what manager Erik ten Hag said to him prior to his match-winning brace against Brentford.
The Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford on Saturday having trailed for much of the game. Mathias Jensen gave the Bees the lead in the first half and the visitors were happy to sit in deep thereafter to frustrate their hosts.
For much of the second half, United were denied by a stubborn and resilient Brentford, forcing Ten Hag into making all five substitutions available to him.
The last of those was McTominay, who replaced Sofyan Amrabat after 87 minutes, and he came up with two goals across six minutes of added time to complete a stunning turnaround.
Speaking to PLP post-match, McTominay was asked what instructions Ten Hag gave him before taking to the pitch.
"It was very loud, the fans were roaring us on so I couldn't hear fully. He probably said something like: 'Go on and score,' which is what I did," he said.
Ten Hag would joke in his own press conference that he indeed told McTominay to score two goals.
McTominay's first goal saw him turn and swivel from roughly 12 yards and fire past Thomas Strakosha after Diogo Dalot's initial effort was beaten away, while he nodded in the winner after Harry Maguire flicked on a long free-kick into the Brentford box.
"When the ball dropped to me it was at an awkward height and I didn't think I could get my leg there, control it and score," McTominay said of the equaliser.
"As I said we wanted to get into their box more as the game went on. But they are a really good team, defended well, and are dangerous on the counter attack. Eventually we got the goals."
Discussing his winning goal, McTominay added: "No nerves. Just never give up no matter the situation. At this football club it is demanded that you never throw the towel in, for me I have been brought up here since I was five, I know that better than anyone."
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