Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack far superior to Manchester United star Scott McTominay after transfer news emerges
Despite Rangers being tipped with a luxurious-looking summer transfer move for Scott McTominay, current midfielder Ryan Jack has the tools to become Michael Beale’s first-choice option in the middle of the park.
BBC pundit Paul Parker admitted (10 March) that he thought McTominay would be a great signing for the Gers in the summer transfer window after struggling to nail down a spot in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side this season.
The 37-capped Scotland international has been a mainstay at Old Trafford since bursting onto the scene in 2017 but has amassed a total of just 810 minutes of Premier League this season.
When assessing the numbers, McTominay comes out as a far inferior player to Jack – who was immense in Rangers’ most recent Scottish Premiership win against Hibernian on Wednesday (8 March).
Over the course of the season, Beale’s player has strung together a strong run of form, despite being shifted in and out of the side for the likes of Glen Kamara and John Lundstram.
On the ball, the 31-year-old is dominant in almost every statistical area, producing more key passes per appearance (1.1 to 0.2) and almost three times more passes per game (44.4) than McTominay (17.4). [WhoScored]
In addition, the Manchester United players’ limitations in possession are highlighted by the fact he is in the 20th percentile of midfielders, in the men’s top five leagues over the last year, for progressive passes (3.65 per 90).
Considering Beale’s insistence on forward-thinking football since his arrival at Ibrox and the joy that January recruit Nicolas Raskin has enjoyed playing in this vein, this is a major talking point surrounding McTominay.
While the Red Devils player is in the bottom quarter of players for progressive passes, Jack sits in the 55th percentile for this category – averaging a far superior 4.85 per 90 minutes. [FBREF]
Yes, McTominay can add a physical presence that Jack might not be able to match in defence, but considering the price tag Manchester United are likely to slap on the 26-year-old and the wage package he is likely to demand, Beale would be better off trusting Jack to make the shirt his own next season.
The problem for Jack this season has been his lack of consistent minutes.
His performance against Hibernian in midweek highlighted the level the Gers player can reach on his day, and he must be given a chance to prove his worth with a run of sustained run of matches in the starting line-up.
In other Rangers news, more issues could emerge in the Ibrox boardroom over a cash injection.