Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has slammed his previous employers for making “one of the biggest mistakes in football” in the transfer market. The South African, who now is in charge of the Kenya national team, worked under Erik ten Hag for nearly two years.
And he thinks that selling Scott McTominay last summer was a poor decision by those in charge. The Scottish midfielder was snapped up by Napoli and quickly became instrumental in their Serie A triumph, earning the adoration of fans and the accolade of Serie A Player of the Season in his first year.
McTominay's departure from United was financially motivated, aiding the club's adherence to profit and sustainability rules. His £25.7million transfer fee was particularly valuable as it represented pure profit due to his homegrown status. McCarthy, who had the opportunity to work with McTominay during Ten Hag's tenure, lamented the sale of the 28-year-old, praising his exceptional form at Napoli.
"Of course, there are different reasons why you sell homegrown players sometimes," McCarthy acknowledged. "When they go, the profit lets you sign more players."
"Having said that, it was one of the biggest mistakes in football to let him leave. He was born to play for United. Maybe he wasn't the most technical, but he had fight, and I think it's what they will get back with Matheus Cunha.
"Scotty was a player that you look for in a dressing room to get you where you want to be. To let him go for what was a small transfer fee was a big shame. I think everyone at the club regrets that decision."
McCarthy, who departed United last summer, also disclosed how he championed a move for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, only to see the club's scouting network block the transfer.
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"Gakpo was the one that we wanted the most and missed out on," McCarthy revealed. "I think he was the first player that we sat down and discussed, and decided that he was the player who would fit in perfectly.
"We knew we could play him alongside Marcus Rashford, when Rashy was really on song in 2022. I think we were so close to getting him. At one stage, it was ours to lose. The agent knew Erik and there were really good talks.
"The manager asked me to write up a profile for the player and to take it to the scouting department, so they knew my opinion. I watched the player, I made my case for why he would be ideal.
"He could play on the left, he could work as a false nine. With him and Rashford we'd have been strong down the middle and on the left.
"Then I was told the scouting department had watched him numerous times and they didn't rate him. They said the stats weren't right. For me, with my experience, I know what you need to deliver at a special club.
"You don't need stats to tell you that. The naked eye gives you so much more than just stats. Obviously the club have a system, and the system won, so he joined Liverpool and won the league."