Manchester United’s renowned academy has produced many talented players throughout the years.

The Red Devils have always relied on their young players to deliver, from Paul Scholes’s days to Alejandro Garnacho’s time now.

Not many players went from the youth system to the first team and were successful in the long run in the late 2010s, but one guy in particular sticks out.

The Carrington alum has been a favourite under managers Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag.

The early years of Scott McTominay at United
Since signing with United at the age of five, Scott McTominay has been a United member for life.

One aspect of the midfielder’s development that did not increase as he advanced through the juvenile ranks was his height; at the age of 18, the Scotland international was just 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay
The midfielder gained 10 inches in height between then and his 2017 debut against Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola citing his physicality as one among his best qualities currently.

The number 39 became an important member of the Norwegian team, being referred to as a “physical monster” by the triple winner, when Solskjaer was appointed United’s manager. Although it was Mourinho who provided the midfielder his time to shine, the appointment marked a turning point in McTominay’s career.

Under Erik ten Hag, Scott McTominay
When 10 Hag arrived, McTominay’s role in the starting lineup had drastically reduced. In the previous league season, he started just 10 games.

This finally resulted in a lot of transfer discussion over the 27-year-old’s future at his hometown team. Everton was the team that was most likely to sign him last summer, when his projected value was £21 million, £9 million less than it was two years earlier.

Harry McGuire, Scott McTominay, and Manchester United
But this season, the dynamic midfielder has been key in the closing third; Diogo Dalot has dubbed the player “clutch” for all the late goals he has recently scored, including the game-winning goal against Aston Villa last weekend.

PL Top Scorers for Manchester United

Participant

Objectives

McIntosh

7.

Alejandro Garnacho

5.

Marcus Rashford

5.

Hojlund Rasmus

5.

Fernandes, Bruno

3.

Statistics sourced from Sofascore

As you can see, McTominay “loves a goal,” in the words of Rio Ferdinand, a legend of Manchester United, and he is having the finest scoring season of his career in the Premier League, ranking first for the team.

His projected worth has increased dramatically as a result of his goal scoring, and many teams are searching for a player who can play numerous midfield roles and have an impact on the game in the final third.

The six-foot-four master, who earns £60k a week, is projected to be worth €50m (£43m) by CIES Football Observatory, so United definitely struck gold with him.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay
Given that Ten Hag only cost £0, the club would earn 100% from the deal if Ten Hag decided to cash in on the academy star this summer, leaving plenty of money for summer acquisitions.

On the other hand, the academy graduate could decide to remain at Old Trafford and continue to create similar pivotal “clutch” moments while working under the Dutchman.