Scott McTominay believes winning the Europa League could prompt a positive change in the mentality at Manchester United, as they look to break their four-year trophy duck. United have booked their spot in the Gdansk final against Villareal after victories over Real Sociedad, AC Milan, Granada and Roma over two legs in the knockout stages of the competition this season.
Scott McTominay said: “Yeah of course reaching that final was something the whole team worked for, so it lays a foundation and a good feeling for next season now. I feel we’re in a positive situation where we’re looking to finish strong, win the Europa League and finish second [in the Premier League]. Next season we want to be really pushing and giving everything we’ve got. For us, it [the final] is an opportunity to really put a statement down for next season. Hopefully we’ll get our rewards. It’s the winning mentality that has to be a given at this football club. We have to go into every single competition like it’s the last game we’re playing, we have to fight at every single stage. The will to win at the end is the most important thing, to do everything in our power to help us win. If you get that feeling for winning, you’re going to improve and be more experienced for the next final you’re in. Whether it’ll directly change the mentality of the entire group, who knows?”
McTominay had only just made his breakthrough into the United senior squad the last time they reached a major final — when Jose Mourinho’s side won the Europa League in 2017, beating Ajax in the final — but he remembers watching the game. Now the Scot is eager to add a winner’s medal to his own collection, having established himself first under Mourinho and more recently with Solskjaer.
Scott McTominay added: “I remember I’d just played against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, so I remember like it was yesterday. It was obviously a whirlwind week and it was something you really wanted to be a part of. You have to be a winner from the start. You need to train properly every day, work hard and push yourself. We can’t just win a final and say ‘we’re here’. We want the big one, we want to go strong for everything.”
