Every weekend we pick out one under-23 player from around Europe and analyse their performance to provide you with an in-depth scouting report.

This week, we focus on Manchester United‘s 2-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League with Scott McTominay being handed his debut in the continental tournament.

BASIC STATS

Shots – 2

Shots on target – 1

Touches – 83

Passes – 65

Pass Accuracy – 86.2&

Aerials Won – 3

Dribbles – 3

Tackles – 3

Interceptions – 3

EFFECTIVENESS

If you only watched the highlights of the game, you’d be forgiven for missing McTominay altogether. The midfielder barely makes an appearance in the game’s key moments but goes about his business with minimum fuss.

In fact, among the United players, only Nemanja Matic managed more passes or touches of the ball than McTominay.

The youngster was composed on the ball, completing over 86% of his passes and even managed to dribble past players on three occasions, the same as the tricky Martial.

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He predominantly sat alongside Matic in a midfield double pivot and broke down Benfica’s attacks, making three tackles and three interceptions.

The Englishman showed plenty of maturity with his positioning and the sense of responsibility with which he tracked back and covered for his team-mates.

He could easily have gotten on the score sheet as well on his Champions League bow, denied only by a superb block by Ruben Dias.

KEY MOMENTS

69th min ONE-TWO: United retrieve the ball on the edge of their own box and Mkhitaryan wriggles free from a challenge and plays a one-two with McTominay which sets him storming off on a promising counter-attack. Benfica players scramble to get back into position and the Armenian is hauled to the ground by Eduardo Salvio who receives a booking.

72nd min PASS: McTominay does well to play an early ball into Martial who cuts inside but Ruben Dias does well to stop the Frenchman in his tracks.

73rd minute SHOT: United push forward for another goal and put some good passes together. Martial slides a ball through for McTominay who made a run into the box. The 20-year-old shoots but Dias does well again to get his body in the way.

VERDICT – 7.5/10

McTominay was a picture of composure in his first outing in the competition and looks very much like a Matic understudy. His passing was solid but a little too safe for United midfielder. However, he will improve in that department the more he plays and settles in.

Defensively, he was top-notch, always alert and showed great strength and energy in the middle of the park. He could even have had a goal with a late run into the box. A solid performance from the youngster.