Scott McTominay has disclosed that a former teammate played a key role in his impressive muscle gain of 15kg. The Manchester United midfielder has transformed his physique from 70kg to 85kg over the past few years, thanks to guidance from ex-United star Paul Pogba.

McTominay, who progressed through the club’s youth system to become a crucial part of Erik ten Hag’s squad, initially hesitated about bulking up until Pogba advised him that significant muscle gain would occur after age 23.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, McTominay emphasized the rigorous gym work and intensity required to achieve his transformation. He stated, “People would be amаzed at the level of effort and dedication players put into their gym routines and the intensity needed to reach these goals.”

Reflecting on his journey, he added, “My body has changed dramatically over the past seven years. At 17 or 18, I was 70kg at 6ft 3in; now I’m 85kg. It took exceptional effort to build this muscle.”

Pogba’s advice proved crucial, as McTominay explained, “He told me, ‘When you get to 23, you’ll put on muscle.’ When it didn’t happen immediately, I wondered where it was. But my love for the gym, competitive nature, and disciplined approach to diet and sleep helped me achieve these gains.”

This season, McTominay has become a vital player under Ten Hag, scoring six goals and captaining the team against Liverpool at Anfield. He also contributed significantly to Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2024, scoring seven goals in 10 matches.