Manchester

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke has allowed Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay to "flourish", says former winger Pat Nevin.

The 27-year-old could be a key player for his national side, who face hosts Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024 later on Friday.

He was Scotland's top scorer in qualifying with seven goals in eight games, all of which came from open play. When excluding penalties, McTominay scored more goals than any other player in the qualification stage.

McTominay was also a vital player for the Red Devils in a difficult 2023-24 campaign, scoring 10 goals from midfield having played in a more advanced role.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, ex-Scotland international Nevin said: "Manchester United have had McTominay in there for a long, long, long time and he seemed to be a water carrier.

"That's what he was used as. Just a bog standard midfielder, sometimes sitting, and then Steve Clark goes, 'no, actually you could be a eight or a 10 - you can move forward for us'.

"Making those sorts of changes has allowed players like McTominay to flourish, which he absolutely has."

Former Everton and Scotland international James McFadden added: "Scott McTominay has played right centre-back, he has played as a defensive midfielder, he has played now as an attacking midfielder.

"Scott McTominay could play anywhere because of his attitude and his attributes."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has been appointed England's vice-captain for Euro 2024.

Walker assumed the role as City captain at the start of the 2023-24 season after playing a key role in the club's Treble win.

The 34-year-old made his England debut under Fabio Capello in November 2011 and has 83 caps.

Of Gareth Southgate's squad for the European Championship, only captain Harry Kane (91) has made more appearances for the Three Lions.

So, Manchester United want the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era to be Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

The Toffees value the 21-year-old at at least £80m, but why is he in such high demand?

After being included in England's preliminary 33-man squad, and making his debut in the pre-tournament friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, Branthwaite was left out of the final 26 who travelled to Germany for Euro 2024.

When Harry Maguire was ruled out of Southgate's final squad with a calf problem, many believed Branthwaite would not only travel, but have a realistic chance of starting.

When compared with England's best central defenders - Manchester City's John Stones, Lewis Dunk of Brighton, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Maguire - he emerges favourably in several key metrics.

His tackles per match of 1.9, clean sheet average of 0.4 per match and minutes played of 3,117 lead the way against his counterparts.

Branthwaite's top speed of 35.1 km/h is also comfortably ahead of peers and places him eighth out of all Premier League central defenders.

His interceptions of 1.4 and clearances of 4.5 per game are level with Maguire.

In a difficult season for Everton, made all the more challenging by their eventual eight-point deduction for breaching Premier league financial rules, the Carlisle United youth product emerged as a shining light in a defence that only the top three of City, Arsenal and Liverpool conceded less than.

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Manchester United have announced a project to refurbish and modernise the men’s first team building at Carrington Training Complex will start next week.

The £50m venture will be led by Foster and Partners - the architectural practice behind the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium and the design of the Lusail Stadium in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

United say there will be a " focus on creating a high-performance collaborative environment for players and staff".

New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said, external: "We want to create a world-class environment for our teams to win.

"When we conducted a thorough review of the Carrington training facilities and met our men's first-team players, it was clear the standards had fallen below some of our peers.

"This project will ensure Manchester United's training ground is once more renovated to the highest standards."