Man United Slammed Over ‘Staggering’ Scott McTominay Sale as Ex-Scotland Star Admits He Was Left ‘Flabbergasted’ Over Midfielder’s Misuse

McTominay’s Move to Napoli Raises Eyebrows Across the Football World

Manchester United are once again facing scrutiny over one of their transfer decisions, this time concerning Scott McTominay, the Scotland international whose £26 million ($35m) move to Napoli in 2024 has left many fans and pundits scratching their heads. What was meant to be a straightforward squad adjustment has turned into a talking point that continues to haunt the Red Devils, as McTominay has gone on to star in Serie A, winning the league title and being named Serie A Player of the Year — a first for any Scottish player in the competition’s history.

Former Scotland international Andy Gray, speaking to in association with BetSelect.co.uk, admitted that he was “flabbergasted” at how United handled McTominay during his time at Old Trafford. Gray highlighted the midfielder’s consistent professionalism and ability to impact games whenever called upon, questioning why the club never fully trusted him in a pivotal role.

“I couldn’t work out, A, why he never played for Manchester United more often, and, B, why they sold him. I was flabbergasted at those two things. He never let them down. Every time he played, he either scored or contributed or created. He was terrific, he is a terrific footballer, as we are seeing now, and he’s being recognised now. I’m so pleased for the lad, and I’m so pleased for Scotland as well. He’s had a brilliant season.”

A Home-Grown Talent Finally Flourishes in Italy

McTominay’s story is one of home-grown potential finding its true expression abroad. The Lancaster-born midfielder had been part of the Manchester United setup since the age of five, progressing through the academy ranks before making his senior debut under Jose Mourinho. Over the years, he racked up 255 competitive appearances, primarily in the Premier League, showcasing his energy, work ethic, and occasional goal-scoring ability.

Yet despite his loyalty and effort, McTominay struggled to convince several successive managers that he could serve as a key cog in United’s midfield. Often deployed in a holding role, or as a box-to-box player, he was unable to consistently demonstrate his attacking instincts, leaving fans and analysts questioning the coaching staff’s ability to maximise his skill set.

At Napoli, McTominay has thrived in a far more advanced, attack-minded role — essentially functioning as a No.10. His instinct for goals, intelligent movement, and ability to dictate play have been fully unleashed, allowing him to score and create at a level previously unseen during his time in Manchester. In doing so, he helped Napoli secure the Serie A title in his debut season and achieved the historic accolade of Serie A Player of the Year. To cap it off, he finished 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or poll, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most respected midfield talents.

United’s Misjudgment: Why Was McTominay Sold?

One of the recurring questions among pundits and fans alike is why Manchester United allowed McTominay to leave, especially given his loyalty, versatility, and gradual improvement over the years. Gray was forthright in his assessment, remarking that United seemed unable to identify his best position:

“Clearly isn’t a 6 or an 8! He’s like a 10 now. He likes to get forward. He loves to score goals. He likes to get in the last third and have a shot or create. And United, just for whatever reason, certain managers, consecutive managers, didn’t seem to recognise that at all, which amazed me. I was amazed when he left, I have to say. They said ‘we’ll sell you’. I was staggered.”

Gray’s comments underline a perception that United mismanaged one of their own, failing to give McTominay the platform to thrive and instead letting him depart, only for him to flourish elsewhere.

The question also extends to potential regrets at Old Trafford: could the club have used him more effectively as an attacking midfielder or allowed him freedom to get into scoring positions? McTominay’s success in Italy strongly suggests that United missed an opportunity to fully capitalise on his skill set.

A Bright Future in Italy and Beyond

At 29, McTominay’s career is at a high point. With Napoli, he has enjoyed domestic glory, personal recognition, and the freedom to express himself in his natural position. Gray believes that, unless a truly massive club comes calling, there is little incentive for McTominay to return to the Premier League immediately:

“If I was him, unless a huge club comes in, and I mean a huge club, why would you leave? He’s 29. If you’re having a good life in Italy, and the family are happy, a lot of that is dependent on that as well… If all the factors are good, and you’re happy, and you can’t find fault with anything… then I think he’ll stay.”

The midfielder’s current situation in Naples provides not just professional satisfaction but also personal contentment. He enjoys a lifestyle that allows him to thrive both on and off the pitch, a combination that United seemingly failed to offer when deciding to sanction his sale.

The Role Debate: Holding Midfielder or Creative No.10?

Perhaps the most glaring lesson from McTominay’s story is the importance of understanding a player’s true strengths. During his Manchester United tenure, he was often pigeonholed as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder, limiting his opportunities to express attacking instincts.

Gray emphasized this point, highlighting McTominay’s suitability for a more advanced role:

“Every time, even when he’d come on as a sub, he’d either have two or three chances, or he’d get a goal. And then the next week, they’d leave him out again. And I just think to myself, what are you doing? How can you leave out somebody like this? The way he goes about the pitch, gets all over it, goes from back to front… He’s not a 6 or an 8. He’s a 10.”

This misjudgment has been costly not only in terms of potential goals and contributions but also in narrative: United let a home-grown talent flourish elsewhere while they were still searching for midfield solutions.

Transfer Rumours and World Cup Prospects

With the summer approaching, there has been speculation about whether McTominay might return to the Premier League. United could, in theory, look to bring back a familiar and now vastly improved talent. However, Gray is sceptical about the appeal:

“He might say, ‘yeah, I’d like to go back, have another couple of years, my last couple of years at a big club, back in the Premier League’. I don’t know. But I don’t see why he’d want to leave.”

McTominay is also expected to feature prominently for Scotland in the upcoming World Cup, offering him yet another stage to showcase his talents and continue the impressive momentum he has built in Italy.

Conclusion: Lessons for Manchester United

Scott McTominay’s trajectory serves as a cautionary tale for Manchester United. Selling a home-grown talent who ultimately flourishes abroad highlights the importance of identifying a player’s ideal role, trusting their abilities, and carefully weighing transfer decisions. McTominay’s move to Napoli, coupled with his individual accolades and Serie A triumph, has left former players like Andy Gray and many United supporters questioning the club’s judgement.

In retrospect, the sale seems “staggering,” not because McTominay lacked quality — quite the opposite — but because United failed to harness his potential when they had him in their own ranks. Now, as he enjoys a historic season in Italy and sets his sights on World Cup duty, the midfielder’s story underscores the delicate balance between talent management, tactical clarity, and long-term planning in elite football.

Whether United will rue their decision for years to come remains to be seen, but for now, Scott McTominay is thriving in a role that fully suits his skills, earning the recognition he so richly deserves, and leaving Old Trafford wondering what might have been.