Rio Ferdinand describes Scott McTominay's 'big decision' and compares him to Manchester United legends

Rio Ferdinand believes Scott McTominay could consider his future at Manchester United as he continues to shine off the bench.

The midfielder scored the winning goal in the 86th minute, replacing United on Sunday in his 2-1 victory away at Aston Villa.

McTominay He has scored eight goals in all competitions this season and is the club's second top scorer behind Rasmus Hojlund with 11.

Despite this, the Scotland international has only started 17 times during the campaign, with his last two goals coming off the bench with 17 minutes remaining.

He was linked with an output last summer and speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Fernando He insisted McTominay will have to make a decision at the end of the season on whether to stay or go.

Ferdinand said: “I don't think anyone has scored as many goals in the last minute or in the final minutes as he has, as winners. “It's important for the team, you can see it, it's there for everyone to see in black and white.

“I just think he has a big decision to make at the end of the season, there were rumors he would leave in the summer, I think West Ham or someone was interested in signing him when Declan Rice left and you can see it.

“I think it's up to him because he has to make the decision: does he want to stay at Man United and be someone who can come in and impact games at times?

“He is going to have a series of games here and there due to injuries and player fatigue, if the best players in the team are fit, he may not start all the time.

“Or do you want to go somewhere else and be a main and regular player in that team, a pillar in a team that probably has less aspirations than Man United and obviously the glamor and glitz that comes with Man United and, hopefully, build towards success.

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“That's the decision I think he has to make and it's up to him. Like I said, does he want to play more football and be a regular starter, or does he want to stay at Man United and do what he's doing?

“If he was going to have the feelings he has now, I don't think it's a decision, I think he stays because he's scoring goals, impacting games, you still feel a big part of that.”

Amid the surprising rise of teenager and fellow midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, McTominay may certainly be seeking more playing time, whether at United or away from Old Trafford.

However, Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with the club, believes impact players off the bench still have a key role to play in the path to success.

He added: “There is a role for someone like that. There is no way that Man United in my time, with the success we had, without players who knew they weren't going to start every game when everyone was fit.”

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“Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Park Ji-sung, John O'Shea, sometimes Darren Fletcher, for a couple of years he was the first name (on the team sheet), but some years he was just breaking in.

“Without those guys, I tell you, we didn't win as much as we did or as consistently as we did because you need those guys. And who can come in, like Scott McTominay, and be an eight out of ten? Or seven and a half out ten? It's hard to do that.”