Scott McTominay reveals the BRUTAL advice Jose Mourinho gave him during his first Man Utd training session
- The 27-year-old has spent 21 years at the club after starting his career in 2002
- He also revealed that he is still in touch with Mourinho, to whom he ‘owes a lot’
- CHRIS SUTTON: Don’t wait! Sir Jim Ratcliffe must fire Erik ten Hag now – it all starts
Scott McTominay has revealed the cheeky advice Jose Mourinho gave him during his first training session under the Portuguese coach.
The 27-year-old midfielder spent 21 years of his life with the Red Devils after starting his youth career for them in 2002.
After breaking into the first team in 2017, he has scored 17 goals in 162 games so far.
Speaking to Jake Humphrey on his High Performance Podcast, McTominay discussed life under Jose Mourinho and how valuable he was in shaping his career.
“When I first went there, maybe at the start of the 2017 season, I went to train with Jose and there were a lot of guys on international break,” McTominay said.
Scott McTominay has started the brutal first training session he had under Mourinho
The Scotland international said Jose gave him a ‘dress-up’ and said ‘who are you?’
‘Refs (in training) are always a bit biased towards the first team against the young boys and I lost my patience and increased my voice a little too much.
“It’s probably the right thing to do, but it’s also the wrong thing to do. I had an argument with some of the older players – (Michael) Carrick and (Ashley) Young – and I just said you get all the decisions, no wonder we lose.”
“Mourinho spoke to me and said you need them to like you, you can’t let them think you’re a bastard. He dressed me nicely and said who do you think you are, you haven’t done anything.
‘A few months later it became apparent The fitness coach told me Jose was just testing you and I knew it. It was nice to hear (positive words) and that he was trying to test the group.’
The midfielder added: ‘You just cdon’t get carried away, because you can be humiliated so quickly. I was lucky that he (Jose) came and gave me my chance.
‘I owe him a lot and my family loves him. When I started playing for Scotland because I always wanted to play for Scotland for my grandpa Jose always said: go with my heart. I am always there to discuss any decisions.
The 27-year-old midfielder has played 21 years of his life for Manchester United
“When he left, I walked into his office. I was devastated. It was hard, this man meant so much to me and gave me all my dreams and now he’s gone.
“I just said thank you so much for the opportunity you have been a true legend to me. Good luck with whatever you do next. We have kept in touch since then. I am so grateful for him. The power of self-confidence. He taught me that.’
Mctominay’s comments come just after Mourinho was sacked by Roma as Serie A fell to ninth place.
Life at United has not always been smooth sailing for McTominay, who has received a lot of criticism from fans.
With the Red Devils in seventh place, manager Erik Ten Hag hopes McTominay can be part of their revival.