Scott McTominay reveals Jose Mourinho’s first piece of advice at Manchester United

McTominay revealed how influential Mourinho had been on his fledgling career so far

Scott McTominay has established himself in Jose Mourinho's first team (Getty)

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has revealed that Jose Mourinho told the youngster that he had to be liked on the pitch throughout his breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old made his Red Devils debut under the Portuguese and has gone on to make a further 21 appearances United in the past two years. He has enjoyed his longest run in the first team under Mourinho having made four Premier League starts in his last nine games.

McTominay revealed how influential Mourinho had been on his fledgling career so far.

“Jose Mourinho has been absolutely incredible to me this year,” McTominay told United’s website. “He’s helped me so much in terms of what I can do, from being more humble, to being better on the training pitch and just being a better person in general.”

“When I first came into the group he said ‘the players have to like you’ and it’s one of the most important things going into a new dressing room, that you are a likeable person and you get on with everybody. That has stood me in good stead.

“It’s important to be liked and on the pitch. It’s the manager having the faith to play me that’s been incredible and I can’t thank him enough.”

The young Scot was given his first opportunity at Old Trafford as he was taken on United’s pre-season of America in 2016. He told how much of a defining moment being selected was for him.

“To be selected to go on the tour was a really good achievement for me. There were some really good games that I got involved with. I came on against Real Madrid and obviously as a young kid to play against Real Madrid was incredible.”

Despite his young age, McTominay also told how keen he was to help out fellow youngsters at Old Trafford, just as he was in the early stages of his career.

He said: “Throughout the year I have been giving some experience to the younger players such as Angel [Gomes]. You have to help them and tell them what people like and possibly what they won’t like. You have to pass your knowledge on, just like Michael Carrick has done for me.”