Former Italian defender Marco Materazzi has slammed Manchester United for letting Scott McTominay depart the club in 2024. The Scotsman has been exceptional since joining Napoli, establishing himself as one of the best players in Serie A.
McTominay played a pivotal role in firing Napoli to Serie A glory in his debut season. He was named the Most Valuable Player in Serie A and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or award.
Marco Materazzi has claimed that he always believed that the Scotland international would go on to become a superstar one day. He has questioned Manchester United's decision to sell the midfielder for just £26 million. The former World Cup winner with Italy said, as quoted by Metro:
"I love Scott McTominay. I love him so much. When he broke through at Manchester United as a youngster I laughed because I said to my son that even at 18 or 19 this is a player who will go on to be one of the best players in the world, and now he is one of the best."
Materazzi added:
"He is an incredible box-to-box player. I don’t understand how United sold him for nothing because his value, for me, is £60-70m or more and they sold him for just £26m. I don’t know. Is that one of the biggest transfer mistakes we’ve ever seen? I think so, absolutely."
The former Inter Milan star concluded:
"Can Scott McTominay win the Ballon d’Or some day? It’s a nice idea because I love him as a player. But I don’t think he will be champion in the World Cup with Scotland and it’s not easy when you don’t win the biggest trophies."
McTominay scored 13 goals and produced six assists in 39 games across all competitions for Napoli last season. He has so far contributed with 11 goals and four assists in 37 games this campaign.
He came through Manchester United's youth system and made 255 appearances for the Red Devils. During his time at Old Trafford, he scored 29 goals and provided eight assists and won one FA Cup and one EFL Cup.
Manchester United star backs Michael Carrick to become the permanent manager: Reports
Manchester United star Amad Diallo has backed Michael Carrick to become the club's next permanent manager. Carrick has been an undisputed success at Old Trafford since being appointed the interim manager in January following Ruben Amorim's sacking.
Carrick has completely turned things around at Manchester United since taking charge and look destined to secure a Champions League spot. The Red Devils are third in the table and sit six points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool.
Amad Diallo has hailed Carrick for his management and has insisted that he considers him as the perfect candidate to become the permanent manager. He said:
“From a personal view he’s the right man. He has a lot of experience; he knows the club and has the DNA. His relationship with every player is very good. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring the club where they belong.”
Carrick spent 12 years as a player at Manchester United between 2006 and 2018 making 468 appearances and winning 18 trophies. He has been in the dugout on ten occasions for the Red Devils so far and has won seven games while drawing two and losing one.