Manchester United sold Scott McTominay for £25million, last summer and the Scotland international has played a key role in Napoli’s Serie A title push
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has criticised the decision to sell Scott McTominay. United offloaded the Scotland international last summer as Serie A side Napoli signed the midfielder in a deal worth £25million last summer.
The Old Trafford exit meant that he ended a 22-year association with the club, the Manchester Evening News reported in August that McTominay was attracted by the idea of a new challenge and opted for a move to Naples under Antonio Conte. The move came around the same time that United agreed a £42.3m move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
United had rejected a £30m offer from Premier League rivals West Ham in the August of 2023 but McTominay’s desire to play regularly and the positive impact selling academy players can have on the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules, led to the deal being completed.
It has proved to be a shrewd move from the Italian’s with McTominay lighting up the top-flight with the 28-year-old netting 11 goals and two assists during their pursuit of the Scudetto.
Their narrow win over Lecce maintained their lead at the top of Serie A as they sit three points clear of Inter Milan with the title race going down to the wire with three matches remaining.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Solskjaer expressed his bemusement at the sale of McTominay in the summer.
“Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100%,” he said.
“How you can sell Scott is beyond me.”
Erik ten Hag was in the Old Trafford dugout when the move was sanctioned and admitted that he had ‘mixed’ feelings over the deal
“I am a little mixed,” he said.
“I am very happy for him but I would prefer not to lose him because he was so important for our team.
“He was at Manchester United for over 22 years.
“But unfortunately, it’s the rules. You have to discuss the rules to do sales.
Obviously, homegrown players, academy players, bring more value.
“It’s not the right thing to do, but for everyone, for all parts, it’s a good deal. For Scott, he is happy with it. Of course, for Napoli, a very good player, but also for us.”
