Manchester United’s Scott McTominay anticipates his “peak years” to come later than many players.
McTominay has played just nine minutes for Utd this season but managed to score the opening goal and create the assist for John McGinn’s goal in Scotland’s 3-0 win away to Cyprus in UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying last Friday (8 September).
The 26 year-old has also participated in MUTV’s ‘United Family’ series, where he spoke about his father encouraging him to develop patiently rather than rush his progression as a player.
“My dad was brilliant because he would always say: ‘Just take your time, son’,” revealed McTominay as he spoke about parental advice and personal attitude as a kid to their wisdom. “You’re going to grow and you’re going to get bigger,’ because he knows, doesn’t he?
“As a kid, you don’t know that. And you always think: I’m always the latest one. But then, when I did grow, when I was 17 or 18, I was sat next to him and I was above him.
“I was like: ‘What’s going on here? Four years ago, you were saying to me not to worry, and now look.
“I’d be thinking to myself: I’m bigger than my dad and he’s six-foot two! So it’s crazy in that respect.”
McTominay also was smaller than many of his peers throughout his school days until he experienced a growth spurt, which has left him believing that the “peak years” of his career will come later than most midfielders.
Speaking about how he views his experience growing up in terms of height development, McTominay said: “The way I see it now is that I grew maybe four years after everyone else, so my peak years are going to be four years later too.
“So I’m 26 now and my body age is technically like a 22-year-old. When I’m 30, I might feel like a 26-year-old. I might retire at 38 or 40!”
McTominay is expected to be part of Scotland’s squad for a 150th anniversary friendly against England at Hampden Park, Glasgow, which takes place tonight (12 September) live on Channel 4.