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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ten Hag explains McTominay decision</li><li>Scottish midfielder named United captain</li><li>Led United vs Liverpool at Anfield</li></ul>

‘Badge on his heart’ - Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains surprise Scott McTominay captaincy selection for Liverpool clash as midfielder praised for ‘desire and passion’

Premier League

Ipswich

With regular captain <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/player/bruno-fernandes/3vtjjrqof5z2tjj84ehadqc45" target="_blank">Bruno Fernandes</a> suspended having picked up five yellow cards this season, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/player/e-ten-hag/6snb5wvyx2sain1zlv9605905" target="_blank">Ten Hag</a> took the surprise decision to hand the captain's armband to Mctominay. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/manchester-united/6eqit8ye8aomdsrrq0hk3v7gh" target="_blank">United</a> boss had few captaincy options, with Harry Maguire ruled out through injury and Marcus Rashford only fit enough to start on the bench after recently struggling with illness.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">"He is one of the examples of what it means to play for Manchester United" 🔴 Erik ten Hag on Scott McTominay being captain for today's game against Liverpool and Marcus Rashford's return to the squad on the bench 🔊 <a href="https://t.co/QJwXxvP165">pic.twitter.com/QJwXxvP165</a>— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1736419540819472822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Ten Hag said: "'I think he [McTominay] is one of the examples of what it means to play for Manchester United, to play with the badge on his heart. And that is an example. And the others can take that, and so they can build on him.&nbsp;"And I'm sure he will be the communicator. I'm sure he will be the example of desire and passion. And I think especially that you need in this game."

WHAT TEN HAG SAID

McTominay is often an easy target for criticism at Old Trafford, but he is actually United's top league goalscorer this season with seven goals. The Scotland international started in midfield at Anfield alongside Sofyan Amrabat <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/captain-scott-mctominay-man-utd-midfielder-leads-side-out-against-liverpool-kobbie-mainoo-anfield/blt793cf72e7eb4e8bc" target="_blank">and Kobbie Mainoo</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

However the Liverpool match pans out, United will have to dust themselves down for a busy festive period that involves meetings with West Ham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. McTominay is expected to hand the captain's armband back to Fernandes at the London Stadium next weekend.

WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED AND MCTOMINAY?

‘Badge on his heart’ - Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains surprise Scott McTominay captaincy selection for Liverpool clash as midfielder praised for ‘desire and passion’ | Goal.com

Erik ten Hag has explained why he made Scott McTominay Manchester United captain for the crunch Premier League clash with Liverpool.