Napoli v Cagliari - Serie A
McTominay as legend status at Napoli less than a year after his arrival (Picture: Getty)
Of all the regrets that have piled up at Manchester United over the last year, allowing Scott McTominay to leave the club now stands among the biggest.
Last night, the Scotland international completed a perfect first season at Napoli, scoring a stunning bicycle kick that sent them on their way to seal the Serie A title with a 2-0 win over Cagliari.
It just had to be him. McTominay has been an instant hit in Italy, beloved by fans who treat their most endearing players like Gods and securing the league’s MVP award after 12 goals in his debut campaign.
McTominay dropped to his knees in tears as the final whistle blew on Friday night having achieved legend status in a city once ruled by Diego Maradona. Described by his manager Antonio Conte as a ‘complete player,’ he spearheaded Napoli’s Scudetto dream
With his old side languishing 16th in the Premier League having been beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final this week it raises the question, why on earth did United let him go?
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Did ‘bad’ rules force Man Utd to sell?
McTominay is the latest player to prove there is life after United with another of their former players in Romelu Lukaku also playing a pivotal role in Napoli’s success.
Napoli v Cagliari - Serie A
McTominay opened the scoring on Friday to get the party started (Picture: Getty Images)
The Scot had been at United since the age of five, making his debut under Jose Mourinho in 2017. His time at the club came to an end last summer, sold for £25million – a ridiculous bargain nine months on.
Erik ten Hag, sacked by United four months later, was eager to keep him. But the Dutchman made it clear their hand was forced by the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR),with the sale of homegrown players like McTominay considered pure profit when it comes to balancing the books.
‘I didn’t want this but that’s the rules the club had to deal with,’ ten Hag said.
Napoli v Cagliari - Serie A
McTominay lifts the title in his first season in Italy (Picture: Getty)
‘The rules are, I would even say, bad, but that’s the situation created. It forced us to make this decision.
‘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 and 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.’
It was McTominay who eventually had the final say, admitting at the time he had to ‘look out for number one’ when presented with the chance to join a club with the rich history and fanatical support in Napoli.
‘I didn’t look back,’ he said. ‘It didn’t take me long to make the decision because I knew that was what I wanted and I’ll never have any regrets in my life. As soon as I put my mind to something I want to do it, that’s it. There’s no holding me back.’
SSC Napoli v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A Enilive
McTominay gets his winners medal (Picture: Getty Images)
‘How you can sell Scott is beyond me.’
United spent over £200million in new players last summer and not one have them have delivered anything close to the impact McTominay has had at Napoli.
The decision to sell him last summer baffled many former players when it was announced with that decision only growing more exasperating over time.
‘I wonder what McTominay thinks, looking back at what Man United are doing this season – or rather what they are not doing in terms of performances on the pitch,’ Alan Shearer said.
‘Scott will look at himself and think he’s made the right decision because it looks as if the move to Napoli is going well for him.’
The midfielder thrived under former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who like so many other former United stars, was left bewildered by the decision to cash in on him.
Manchester United v Brentford FC - Premier League
McTominay left Man Utd for £25m (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100 per cent,’ Solskjaer, now the manager of manager of Besiktas, said.
‘How you can sell Scott is beyond me.’
McTominay’s fellow Scot Garaham Souness was perhaps the most damning, labelling the decision perhaps the worst taken since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson 12 years ago.
‘He was 27 years old and not hurting United with his wages when the club’s ‘decision-makers’ thought it was a bright idea to sell him to Napoli for £25million,’ Souness said.
‘Would someone at United please hold their hand up and say, “This was my shout.” Because it’s been an atrocious piece of judgment.
‘The perfect example of the mismanagement on an industrial scale at that club since Fergie packed in.’
United are reeling heading into an unstable summer where their failure to secure European football next season will have huge implications.
Having sparked a wild summer of celebrations in Naples, McTominay’s situation couldn’t be more brighter.
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