Manchester United fans made their feelings clear on Scott McTominay after Erik ten Hag deployed him as his main forward option against Brighton on Sunday.
The Red Devils travelled to the Amex for their final Premier League match of the season ahead of their FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City next week.
Erik ten Hag used Scott McTominay as an attacking threat in the 3-2 win against Newcastle on Wednesday, with Rasmus Hojlund settling for a place on the bench.
Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench and silenced his critics by finding the back of the net in Manchester United’s last league match at Old Trafford this season.
The 21-year-old Denmark and United striker had struggled in the final third since his return from injury, with Hojlund scoring three times in his last 10 league matches.
McTominay retained his place in the starting XI for the Brighton clash and Hojlund once again had to settle for a place on the United bench.
McTominay returns to striker role for Man Utd
Scott McTominay was heavily linked with a move away from Manchester United last summer after the Red Devils rejected a £30m bid from West Ham.
The 27-year-old Scottish midfielder has remained an integral first-team player for Erik ten Hag, with McTominay impressing with his goalscoring output this season.
McTominay has shown his threat in the final third and the United star has scored seven times in 32 Premier League appearances in the current campaign.
The Scotland international, who has scored 10 times across all competitions, has previously played down his ability to play as a striker.
“People always said: ‘You played as a striker as a kid.’ I never played as a striker,” McTominay told Manchester United’s official website in 2023.
“I played two games there with [former reserves coach] Warren Joyce because we had no striker. So, whenever I score a goal, people always say: ‘He used to be a striker, that’s why.’
“I never used to be a striker! I’ve always been a midfield player, a number eight, so it is funny when you hear stuff like that.”
The McTominay ‘experiment’ in attack against Brighton failed to impress and showed exactly why the Scot has previously dismissed the idea he could play as a striker.
The United and Scotland midfielder was lacklustre in the first half and squandered an opportunity to put the Red Devils into the lead before half-time.
Man Utd fans react to McTominay vs Brighton
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, sent a clear message to Ten Hag to abandon the idea of playing McTominay up front.
Red Devils supporters are hopeful McTominay does not start up top against Manchester City, while other United fans want him sold in the summer.
“Gotta be playing a proper striker instead of McTominay. Hope this isn’t prep for the [FA Cup] final,” one fan said.
Another added: “That half explains our whole season, abysmal. Why is McTominay starting as a striker when we have an actual striker who scored in his last [match] on the bench?”
A third tweeted: “He [Ten Hag] just does not endear himself with his lack of tactics, formations and questionable selections. I mean, really, McTominay over Hojlund?”
“After the final, I never want to see McTominay wearing a United shirt again,” a fourth posted.
Someone else commented: “There’s no reason for McTominay to be playing today. LOL.”
While a sixth wrote: “McTominay should be nowhere near this team next season.”
And a seventh said: “Bruh, McTominay is one of the least technical players I’ve ever watched play football.”
“McTominay better not start in the final, he just ruins every attack,” another simply added.