Former Manchester United midfielder Paddy McNair moved to Middlesbrough after his former side Sunderland got relegated to the League One last season. However, by the lack of action in the first team at the Riverside, one would think that the 23-year-old might be thinking he made a mistake by moving to Middlesbrough as he is yet to start a single game in the Championship so far.
One wouldn’t be wrong in assuming that if he had stayed with the Black Cats, McNair would be playing regular football with them. The 23-year-old is known for his versatility as he can play in midfield as well as in the heart of the defence. Along with that, he has played quite a few games for his national side in the right back position.
The Northern Irishman was also linked with a move to the Premier League club Brighton, and one can say that the player chose Middlesbrough because he was more likely to get his chances there. However, it seems like he is going to be used more as a squad player throughout the season.
One cannot fault Tony Pulis for keeping him away from the playing eleven as the Teessiders are doing well and are just one point behind league leaders Leeds United. The likes of Adam Clayton, Muhamed Besic, Jonny Howson and George Saville looks well ahead of McNair in the pecking order at the moment.
Boro signed Besic in the last few days of the transfer window on loan from Everton, and that would have certainly miffed McNair as it showed that even with him being available, the manager went after another defensive midfielder.
McNair joined Manchester United’s youth setup in 2011, and by 2014, he made his senior team debut as United were struggling with injuries then. Manager Louis Van Gaal had often praised him for his performances. However, he made 27 appearances in his two full seasons at United and moved to Sunderland in search of greener pastures.
McNair is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and the midfielder is known to pick out some good passes as he initially started his career as a no.10. The Northern Irishman is also able to carry and dribble with the ball from defence, and that is why he has been playing as a right back for his national side.
The versatile midfielder has a certain kind of unhurried demeanour whenever he has the ball on his feet, and he always looks composed. However, one of the reasons why Pulis hasn’t picked him in the defensive midfield role is that McNair lacks that defensive resoluteness and the 23-year-old often comes out second best in physical challenges. We know how Pulis likes to build his team by being physically imposing and strong off the ball running and that is where the midfielder lacks a bit.
The midfielder has played just 24 minutes in the Championship spread across four games, coming on as late substitutes. Tony Pulis has so far preferred Muhamed Besic and another new signing George Saville in midfield over the Northern Irish midfielder, and it looks like he will have to continue waiting for his chances to arrive.
