Manchester United called out for selling Scott McTominay in 2024
Manchester United have been having trouble with their on-pitch performances, with fans and pundits lashing into the current roster after that 3-0 derby humiliation. But Nicky Butt called on the Premier League heavyweights for a major error that they made in the transfer window.
He highlighted the decision-makers who sanctioned a £25 million move for Scott McTominay last summer. The former United midfielder insists that letting go of a player who bled for the badge was not a wise decision. And now we’re watching him thrive as a cult hero for Napoli.
Nicky Butt speaks about United’s decision to sell McTominay
Were Manchester United right or wrong to sell Scott McTominay?
The Scotland international moved to Napoli in August 2024. And he took no time to showcase his qualities. He has quickly become a fan favourite in Serie A. You watch him put in his tireless work rate and willingness to do the dirty work consistently every week, and this has made him an instant hit for his new employers. So much so that, as Butt put it, “his picture is on all the walls” as a “god” in the eyes of the Napoli faithful.
Speaking about Scott McTominay on Sky Sports, he spoke about how the 28-year-old always had this drive, which made a huge difference. He insisted on how McTominay was one player who would run through a brick wall for this club. He said:
“Scott had the disappointment of leaving Man United, I felt that was wrong to let him go because he is one of your own, he would run through brick walls for you, a Manchester United fan from a family of Manchester United fans.”
“You go there and his picture is on all the walls. It is great. He has earned all that. He has grafted, worked hard, had knockbacks and fair play to him, he is a player now. If he’d stayed, he might have stagnated and never got better.”
McTominay always had that fight in him at M16
Manchester United called out for selling Scott McTominay in 2024.
Nicky Butt believes that the club made big mistake by selling Scott McTominay.
McTominay has always had Man Utd at his heart. He had been at the club since he was five. And coming through from there and going on to make over 250 appearances wearing that badge, he was always one of the few players who showed that fight during tough periods at Old Trafford.
Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho once described McTominay as having a “special character”. And let’s be honest, it is this sort of mentality which has taken him to become a key player for Napoli.
All this while, United are still in the market shuffling for a new midfielder almost every six months. For United supporters, it is hard not to look at McTominay and think about how he could have been a massive asset right now. Yes, the club might have sold him for £25 million, but when you look back at that sale these days, it ends up looking like another one of those sales that comes back to bite.
Do you think United made a mistake by selling McTominay? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.