Why Was He Allowed to Leave? Peter Schmeichel Questions Manchester United’s Transfer Decisions

Manchester United have been under the microscope all season, and not just because of their performances on the pitch. The club’s summer transfer business has left fans scratching their heads, pundits questioning the strategy, and former legends like Peter Schmeichel openly wondering whether United have lost their way.

In a candid discussion with Sky Bet, Schmeichel – arguably the most iconic goalkeeper in the club’s history – admitted he could not understand why certain players were allowed to leave Old Trafford. For him, the decisions involving Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund are the ones that sting the most.

From Outcast to MVP: McTominay’s Redemption in Naples

Scott McTominay was a polarising figure during his time at United. Some saw him as a steady presence who gave his all, while others questioned whether he was good enough for a club with ambitions of returning to the top. In the summer of 2024, United decided they had seen enough and sold him to Napoli.

The response? McTominay promptly became a Serie A champion and was even named MVP of the season, playing a crucial role in Napoli’s midfield as they stormed to the title. It was a career-defining campaign that left United supporters asking if they had made a huge mistake.

For Schmeichel, the answer is clear: “I honestly can’t say anything other than: why? Why was he allowed to leave?”

The timing made the decision look even worse. Manchester United finished a dismal 15th in the Premier League, their lowest finish of the modern era. They lacked leadership in midfield, often looking lightweight and unable to control matches. McTominay’s absence was felt every week, with fans rueing the decision to let an academy graduate walk away in his prime.

Højlund’s Case: A Striker Without Service

Rasmus Højlund’s situation is a little different but just as baffling. The Danish striker was supposed to be the future of United’s attack when he joined from Atalanta. He scored 26 goals in 95 appearances, a respectable record considering the struggles of the team around him.

But Højlund was often criticised for not scoring enough, something Schmeichel feels was unfair:

“The problem wasn’t him – it was the way the team played. When players like Garnacho or Rashford got the ball, they only looked to shoot. The ball into the number nine never came, even though Rasmus was making really good runs.”

It’s a fair point. Anyone who watched United last season could see that Højlund was isolated, starved of service, and asked to do too much on his own. Still, United decided to loan him out to Napoli – where, in a twist of irony, he scored after just 30 minutes of his debut.

Schmeichel sees that as proof of the striker’s quality:

“I hope he scores 25 goals and forces the club to bring him back. He’s still our player, and that’s the positive.”

With Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo now at Old Trafford, United have wingers and creators who could actually provide the kind of service Højlund thrives on. If he does return next summer, he might finally have the supporting cast he needs.

Antony and the Winger Exodus

Scott McTominay Napoli 2024-25

If McTominay and Højlund’s exits were controversial, the departures of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony were nothing short of seismic. United lost virtually their entire wing department in one window, a move that has left Ruben Amorim’s side painfully short of natural wide players.

Schmeichel, however, had no issue with Antony leaving, offering a brutally honest assessment:

“He was never good enough for Manchester United. Yes, he scored on his debut, but very quickly you could see he didn’t have what it takes for the Premier League. To succeed here, you need something extra, and he didn’t have it.”

While Antony has already moved on, Rashford’s departure in particular has been hard to swallow for fans, given that he was another academy product who had been central to the team’s identity for years.

Pressure Mounting on Amorim

Manchester United v Brentford FC – Premier League Schmeichel

All of this upheaval has put enormous pressure on manager Ruben Amorim, who has had to balance a dressing room overhaul with trying to deliver results. So far, things are not going well.

United have already crashed out of the Carabao Cup – losing to League Two side Grimsby – and were humiliated 3-0 by Manchester City on derby day. The mood around Old Trafford is fragile, with fans growing restless and pundits questioning whether the club’s long-term project is on track.

Without European football this season, Amorim has fewer distractions and theoretically more time to build a cohesive side. But if results do not improve soon, the pressure will only intensify.

What Next for Manchester United?

The big question is whether United will reconsider their decisions on Højlund and perhaps even McTominay. Bringing McTominay back is unlikely given that Napoli have no reason to sell their midfield lynchpin, but Højlund’s loan could be a turning point if he lights up Serie A this season.

There is still a core of quality at Old Trafford – Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, Lisandro Martínez – but the club needs to rediscover its identity and its ruthlessness in the transfer market. The last few windows have seen more talent leave than arrive, and that is not a recipe for success.

For Schmeichel, the frustration is simple: he believes Manchester United are letting key players go without a plan to replace them properly. That, more than anything, is what is holding the club back from returning to the top.