Shut out the noise: Ole’s advice to Reds
SCOTT McTominay says United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged his players to ignore the constant speculation and scrutiny that comes with representing the ‘ most scrutinised team in the world’.
United’s form over the course of the current campaign has been much debated, particularly after their failure to advance from the Champions League group stage after defeat to RB Leipzig.
However, after United’s 3-2 victory over Sheffield United – another comeback win – Solskjaer’s side sit seventh in the Premier League table and eight points off leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.
McTominay was introduced from the bench in the dying moments against the Blades, but he has been a regular starter for the Reds this term.
The Scotland international has only failed to feature in four games and is a trusted midfield presence that Solskjaer often turns to in highstakes fixtures.
That trust is reciprocated, as McTominay highlighted in an interview with Malaysian broadcaster Stadium Astro.
Asked what the best advice he’s been given from a manager or teammate, the United academy graduate replied: “The manager always says that Manchester United is the most scrutinised team in the world, so don’t read the papers, don’t read the press, don’t listen to all the carry on in the background.
“Honestly, that is some of the best advice I’ve had because he is right.
“As a Manchester United player, you can’t look too far beyond the bubble that we’re in.
“We have to concentrate on ourselves, listen to the coaches and the manager on how we can improve rather than listening to how millions of people think we can improve.
“That will drive you mad – listening to a load of people giving their opinion, which for us as a group is really not relevant.” McTominay
has been a United player since the age of five and, alongside Marcus Rashford, ensures the club continues to have a homegrown presence in the firstteam squad. And the midfielder believes it’s vital to have players who understand the club’s traditions and values in the dressing room. McTominay explained. “I speak to (current first-team coach) Kieran McKenna about that a lot, being that voice and a leader on the pitch.
“With Marcus as well, we know the traditional values of this football club, we never want to let standards slip below a certain level.
“For me now, as I’m getting older, I feel that responsibility to concentrate on that, to be a big voice in the dressing room every single game and push everyone forward.”
The manager always says don’t read the papers, don’t listen to all the carry on Scott McTominay