Scott McTominay reveals what captaining Manchester United means to him
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has confessed that being named captain against Watford in the FA Cup third round was a 'surreal moment'.
The 24-year-old was handed his United debut by Jose Mourinho in April 2017 after graduating from the club's academy, and since then he's established himself as one of the more important - and versatile - members of the club's midfield.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to favour McTominay for some of United's biggest games, and the Norwegian's admiration for the Scottish midfielder reached new levels when he opted to name him captain for the game against Watford against Old Trafford.
McTominay, almost inevitably, netted an early winner for United, and revealed to BT Sport after the game that leading the club he loves was a moment he'll forever cherish.
“For me, when the manager told me [that I would be captain] it was a surreal moment, obviously being at this club since I was, what? I'd just turned five years old – [so] basically 18 years, 19 years [being] associated with the football club. So for me that’s a huge honour," he said.
“I absolutely love this football club and it’s been my life for almost my whole life. So yeah, it’s a real honour.
“The manager’s been nothing but amazing for me since he’s come to the club and I have a lot to thank him for, but the best way of thanking him is putting in performances on the pitch for this club and doing your best that you possibly can do.
“For just as long as I’ve got the manager’s trust I’m happy doing my job every single day in training and matches as well.”
McTominay's wholesome words for his manager were soon repaid when Solskjaer suggested that he'd been named captain because he always steps up when needed and fundamentally understands what it takes to represent and lead Manchester United.
"He did [deliver] he always does,’ Solskajer told BT Sport. "He’s a leader but I thought maybe today we give it to him to see how he reacts wearing the armband.
"He’s always out there leading the way but brilliant today. ‘We’ve always trusted our young men coming through and Scott is one of them that we really believe has got the DNA of Man United in him and he knows what it is to be a Man Utd player."