EXCLUSIVE: As Manchester United gear up for a busy summer, Paul Ince has warned Sir Jim Ratcliffe about making the same mistake as they did when they sold Scott McTominay
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Co-owner of Manchester United, looks on before the trophy presentation after the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been told to think carefully before selling some of Manchester United's stars
Manchester United legend Paul Ince has warned Sir Jim Ratcliffe to consider loaning Rasmus Hojlund instead of selling him, to avoid making the same mistake as they did when they sold Scott McTominay.
United endured one of their worst-ever campaigns as they finished 15th and lost the Europa League final, while McTominay won Serie A in his debut campaign at Napoli. The Scot departed Old Trafford last season and was sold to the Neapolitans for around £25million.
He has proven to be a revelation at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, contributing 13 goals and six assists from midfield and was named as Serie A's Most Valuable Player. Hojlund has endured an arduous second campaign at Old Trafford and Ince thinks the young Dane may relish a loan move to a division like Serie A.
Speaking on behalf of bet365, Ince said: "He (Hojlund) is still a young lad. He’s got a lot to learn. I’d like to see him go on loan somewhere, let him go find his feet, get a bit of confidence. It’s a tough place at United with the expectations, that are required from you.
"He might need someone to play next to him, maybe a senior centre-forward, to take him under his wing. It looks like he is playing every game on his own. I know Zirkzee has come from Bologna, but that has not really worked out in this moment of time.
"As a striker, you need someone to lean on and take the pressure off you, but he has not had that all season. It looks like it is affecting his game.
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United in action during the match between Manchester United and ASEAN All Stars at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on May 28, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hojlund's second campaign at United left plenty to be desired(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
"There is a very good player in there, believe me, a very good player. Maybe a little loan spell, out in Italy, somewhere like that, get some goals for a few months, get some confidence and then come back in.
"United look like they are about to sign (Matheus) Cunha, who is a very good player, but even someone like Ollie Watkins would be a very good player. Maybe Hojlund could come back after that?
"Work underneath, play a certain amount of games where the pressure would not be on him too much? At the minute, there is a lot of pressure.”
Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli poses for a photo with the Serie A scudetto title trophy and the Serie A Season 24/25 MVP Trophy after the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona which was played on May 23rd, 2025 in Naples, Italy
McTominay has enjoyed huge success in his debut campaign at Napoli
Hojlund has so far struggled to perform to the level of expectations having arrived from Atalanta for £72m in the summer of 2023. There have been some bright patches, but this season was a miserable experience, having only contributed four Premier League goals.
United were heavily linked with a move for Liam Delap, but the Ipswich Town forward now appears to be on his way to Chelsea. Ruben Amorim has also seemed unconvinced by Hojlund's displays this year.
However, Ince points to McTominay's resurgence in Naples as an example of a player who perhaps could have returned to the club with new confidence and qualities. He added: "It’s funny because some players fit certain teams and environments.
Paul Ince standing in front of a bet365 advertisement board promoting the Champions League final
Ince was speaking on behalf of bet365(Image: Hatch Group)
"When you look at Scott McTominay, you think, ‘How the hell did they let him go?’ Sometimes, it’s the manager, what is going on at the club. You look at Antony, he’s been great at Real Betis and played in a cup final.
"You look at these two players, who could not perform the way they are performing now. Is it them, is it the coach, is it the environment, the pressures and expectations of playing for Manchester United?
"As a midfield player, I’ve always loved McTominay, I always thought he was one of the few who was actually trying to make things happen at Manchester United. But I’m so pleased he’s managed to go there, because he will be a god there. I know what those fans are like and Antony the same."
Paul Ince was speaking on behalf of bet365, the official global partner of the UEFA Champions League, which is hosting its Big Ticket Giveaway Game this Friday 30th May in Munich from 4pm, where fans have the chance to win tickets to the UEFA Champions League final. Full Terms and Conditions apply. Gamble Responsibly. Full interview can be found at bet365 News.