MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho has told Scott McTominay to concentrate on his blossoming Manchester United career as England and Scotland battle for his international allegiance.
Midfielder McTominay was born in Lancaster but is eligible to play for Scotland through his father, who is from Glasgow.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Scotland manager Alex McLeish visited United's Carrington training ground on Thursday to hold talks with McTominay, while England boss Gareth Southgate was there on Friday.
The 21-year-old has made just 17 senior appearances, and Mourinho said focusing on United would lead to international recognition.
"My advice to him is not about national teams, is not about that," Mourinho told a news conference on Friday.
"My advice is to keep the way he is; very humble, very open to learn, intelligent, and keep going in the same direction, same profile.
"Trying to fight to have minutes with Manchester United, which is not easy, and then national team will be just a consequence of his work at the club."
McTominay has started United's last three games, including the important clashes against Sevilla and Chelsea.
With Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera sidelined by injury, he could start again when Mourinho's team visit Crystal Palace on Monday.
Mourinho added: "I think the people around him are the right people. I never met them, but I have to believe the kid with his attitude towards the others and towards football, I believe the parents must be really good people that pass to him the right values.
"And the kid is very feet on the ground, he's very calm, so I think he passed some important tests, not by the football point of view but the mental point of view.
"So I think a long way to go, obviously, but very feet on the ground, very stable and I hope he can keep the same image."
Meanwhile, Wales manager Ryan Giggs wrote in his column for Sky Sports that McTominay will have "to go with what he feels comfortable with" when making a decision on his international future.
"I remember Scott McTominay well from when I was assistant manager at Manchester United because he had a massive growth spurt," Giggs wrote.
"He was always quite small then suddenly grew a lot, so there were a few injury problems with getting used to the physical changes.
"He was a player who you could trust. You give him a job to do and he would do it, and Jose Mourinho clearly likes that about him.
"He's just got to concentrate on staying in the team now. Jose was spot on in saying there's a lot more to come from him.
"With regards to whether he plays for England or Scotland, he has to go with what he feels comfortable with. With England you are obviously going to get a lot more opportunities in terms of major tournaments.
"It's a difficult one, being born in England, but maybe he feels like he's Scottish, so it really is a tough decision. Only Scott will know what he and his family are comfortable with."