 He helped United to avoid relegation from the Second Division at the tail end of the 1933–34 season, and rise up the table to fifth position in 1934–35.He was part of the successful promotion campaign of 1935–36, as United won the Second Division title.However they were relegated straight back down to the Second Division the following season, but McKay's four goals in four games at the end of the 1937–38 season helped the club regain to secure second place and therefore regain their First Division status.