12 Clearance And 1 Super Header – Scouting Manchester United’s Rising Star McNair

Louis Van Gaal has always been renowned for his faith in young players, but the injuries that he has with Manchester United at the moment have meant that he has had to rely on youngsters far more than what he would have wanted to. Last weekend, Paddy McNair became the latest player to be benefited from the club’s current injury crisis. The 19-year-old was thrown into the deep end against West Ham United last week, but came out with flying colours. So who is McNair? Is he the future of the United back line? Can he help solve the current defensive crisis?

Career history

Born in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland in 1995, like most would be footballers from the country, McNair had to move abroad to make a name for himself and he did so very early on. Initially identified by Manchester United’s scouts as a 12-year-old, McNair signed on for the club in 2011 from his hometown club Ballyclare Colts.

Although McNair was signed as a midfielder, he was quickly converted into a centre back and that is precisely where he started to establish himself in the reserve team. In just a few years with the club, the youngster had already represented his country in the under-17, under-19 and under-21 level. His rapid rise in the reserve team along with the club’s defensive crisis meant that he made his debut for the club in their 2-1 win over West Ham. His performance in the game earned him rave reviews from both his teammates and his manager.

Style of Play

Although he featured as a centre back in the game against West Ham and essayed the same role to great effect last season in the reserve side, that isn’t his preferred position. McNair was signed as a central midfielder and his coach McGuinness firmly believes that he will make a name for himself as a defensive midfielder, thanks to his “composure and ability to handle one-on-one situations”. The Northern Irishman is adept at the technical aspect of the game as well and his style of play has been compared to that of Michael Carrick.

Strengths

McNair’s biggest strength is his versatility. Given the rigorous demands of the modern game, there are very few players who can play in both defence and in midfield. And McNair’s ability to play as a central defender or a midfielder with consummate is something that will hold his future prospects in good stead. Another strength of McNair is his ability on the ball and his wide range of passing. The 19-year-old not only has the technique, but as he showed against the Hammers, he has the temperament as well.

Weaknesses

McNair has no major weakness in his play, but if there is one thing that the youngster can certainly improve is his tendency of being booked often. The 19-year-old must learn to curb his enthusiasm and desire to win every ball and understand the situation before diving into tackles and getting booked. But as he is still only 19, the club must be hoping that experience comes with time.

Possible destinations

Having been with United for the last three seasons and slowly breaking into the first team, it is unlikely that he would want to move away from the club. For now, he would do well to continue playing for the reserves and wait for his next first-team opportunity to come along before grabbing it with both hands.

Against West Ham

For a 19 year old boy, McNair showed tremendous courage and composure against a tough West Ham side guided by Big Sam. Throughout the game, McNair showed his no nonsense style of defending, clearing all kind of dangerous balls delivered into his defending zone by the West Ham players. Overall, McNair made 12 clearances in the game including one stupendous header where the United youngster adjusted his position to clear the ball with his head. He made one interception and his passing accuracy stands around 84%, not a bad stat for a defender.

Verdict

At just 19, McNair looks like a solid prospect for the future, who can very well step in now and do the job. If the youngster wants to stay in the first-team for any length of time, he will need to find his position quickly and decide whether he is a midfielder or a defender. Although it is necessary for modern footballers to do a lot of things, McNair still needs to make a position his own if he wants to flourish in his career and not just be stuck as a jack of all trades journeyman.