Ten Hag: McTominay's goals must be turning point for Man Utd

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was full of praise for late hero Scott McTominay, whose stoppage-time brace led to the latest turnaround in the club’s Premier League history and hopes that it proves a turning point in the club's season.

See: How McTominay’s heroics rank in late Premier League turnarounds

With Brentford leading until the third minute of stoppage time through Mathias Jensen’s first half strike, it seemed that Man Utd were heading for a third consecutive home defeat.

However, McTominay, an 87th-minute substitute, had other ideas, levelling the scores within six minutes of his introduction and then, with only the time spent celebrating his first goal added on to the six minutes of stoppage time, heading home the winner to send Old Trafford into delirium.

Ten Hag cited his side’s perseverance as being instrumental to securing the victory and how this result could be a turning point in their season.

"This must be the turning point," the Dutchman told Man Utd's official website. "This reflects our season so far from the start of a game. It has to be that you believe and you see the fans believe: they are sticking together. They are behind us and they kept us going. And of course we had to make and bring more players in the box. And I think that's what we did the last 30 minutes and then you get rewarded in the end.

"You make your own luck. I am really proud of this team. They kept going the whole game, they kept the faith.

"These games give fuel to the dressing room. In football it is eat or get eaten. Too many times in the first half of this season we got eaten by opponents who are more hungry."

Ten Hag could not hide his pride when speaking about McTominay, who up to now has largely been limited to appearances off the bench this season.

"You see he is Manchester United in everything in his heart," he said. "He is playing for the badge; he gives his life. When you are coming on and do this for the team it says a lot.

"When you come on with the end of the game near and you bring that mindset, that energy and that confidence, he fought for every metre, for every ball, and he was rewarded."

See: Super sub McTominay gives Man Utd late, late victory

McTominay placed his heroics among his highest moments in the game and said they were honed by the fortitude instilled in him at the club. 

"That would be one of my favourite moments on a football pitch; it was incredible," he said. "I'm just happy to contribute and show I can do it.

"At this football club you grow up knowing you are never allowed to give up. I have been brought up at Manchester United ever since I was five years old. I know the feeling of never being allowed to give up better than anyone."