In a season full of unexpected twists, one of the standout stories has been the remarkable rise of Scott McTominay in Serie A. The Scottish midfielder, once a peripheral figure at Manchester United, has rediscovered his form and confidence in Italian football. Napoli took a chance on him at a time when many had written him off in England.
They secured his services for just £25.7 million, a fee that now looks like a steal considering his performances. McTominay’s impact has gone far beyond the stats sheet; he has become a vital cog in Napoli’s system and one of the league’s most consistent performers.
According to [The Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2025/06/06/andy-robertson-calls-man-utd-transfer-mistake-unbelievable-star-23344856/), his international teammate and Liverpool ace, Andy Robertson, recently weighed in on the move. The Liverpool full-back revealed that McTominay made the switch to Italy with a point to prove, to show United were wrong to let him go. Robertson suggested that McTominay was never given the continuity or respect he deserved at Old Trafford. His resurgence in Naples, according to Robertson, is proof of his true quality and a reminder of what United may have lost. In his view, the club were short-sighted not to place more faith in him.
Were Manchester United right or wrong to sell Scott McTominay?
> I think he went over there with a point to prove. I think he wanted to prove Man United wrong and prove people in the Premier League wrong. He has gone over there and done that pretty successfully. That’s credit to him, credit to his attitude and his determination to be the best version of himself. Now he is a king over there. At Man United he probably lacked getting that run of games consistently, he was in and out and things like that. He (McTominay) probably didn’t get the respect he deserves. Then he goes over there, puts in a magnificent season and fair play to him to end it with the league title. Even before he was at Napoli, his standards for Scotland were unbelievable. He’s getting better and better, he has taken it to a whole new level.”
Robertson does have a popint. McTominay always displayed unwavering commitment, even during his toughest days at Manchester United. However, his time at Old Trafford was inconsistent, marked by constant managerial changes and a midfield setup where his attributes never fully aligned. Under Erik ten Hag, the focus shifted to more technically refined players, and although McTominay had drive and energy, he lacked the subtlety and control the manager sought. Still, letting him go for under £30 million, when he clearly had room to grow, felt premature.
Napoli reimagined him in a more attacking role, something United rarely dared to try consistently. In Italy, McTominay thrived as a finisher, showcasing a goal-scoring instinct that had been stifled in Manchester. Rather than anchoring him in defensive duties, Napoli unlocked a side of his game that was overlooked in England. United might have benefited from experimenting with that role or even loaning him out to relieve the pressure. A year away from the spotlight at Old Trafford could have transformed him into a more complete asset.
That said, there’s another perspective worth considering. Some players simply don’t thrive in environments that don’t suit their mentality or style. Perhaps McTominay needed the cultural shift, the different tempo, and the unique pressure of Serie A to flourish. Maybe his talent was always present, but it required the right context to emerge. Rather than assigning blame to United alone, it’s fair to say the separation may have been necessary. Sometimes, parting ways allows both the player and the club to grow in their own directions, and that, too, is part of football.