Scott McTominay left Manchester United for Napoli in 2024 and has since won a league title and been named Serie A MVP as another crucial cup tie against AC Milan looms
Joleon Lescott speaks on In The Mixer
Joleon Lescott has spoken about Scott McTominay(Image: In The Mixer)
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Scott McTominay lacked the necessary backing from coaches at Manchester United, according to Joleon Lescott. The Scotland international has flourished since his switch to Napoli in 2024.
McTominay had been part of the United set-up since the age of five, progressing through the academy system before making his first-team debut in 2017. Under different managers, he developed a knack for scoring goals, but the versatile midfielder was deployed in various positions and never became a guaranteed starter.
Due to his transfer value as a homegrown player, McTominay was sold in the summer of 2024 for a reported £26million, despite the reluctance of his then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Since his departure, he has secured a league title, been crowned Serie A MVP, and helped Scotland qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against AC Milan is now on the horizon, and former Manchester City defender Lescott believes he was never properly trusted by coaches at Old Trafford.
"He was scoring goals. He was scoring goals for United and he was doing that when he played in a more advanced role," said Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet.
"It was just that he wasn't allowed to do it every week and I also don't think he was allowed to have a bad game. I think there were times where he would score, do well, stay in the team and then if he didn't do it again, he was coming out.
"I don't think every player has that set balance or is not given the grace of playing badly. I think that comes when you're a homegrown talent, though.
Scott McTominay of Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, celebrates with the Emirates FA Cup Trophy after his team's victory after the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United
Ex-United boss Ten Hag admitted he didn't want McTominay to leave
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"Because for Scotland he's always done it. He did it in spells for Man United, but I don't think he was given the kind of belief from the coaches to go and say, 'You don't have to be Man of the Match every week but you can stay in the team.'"
Ex-Liverpool skipper Graeme Souness also believes that McTominay may have been let go too soon, arguing that if he had stayed, he would currently be United's top midfielder.
"They've spent a lot of money on [Manuel] Ugarte and Casemiro. I got much criticised for saying I thought he was an ordinary Joe when they signed him. I still see him as an ordinary Joe, a very steady player," Souness told the Daily Mail.
Scott McTominay of Napoli and Cam Reading during Gran Gala' Del Calcio Aic 2025 on December 01, 2025 in Milan, Italy
The 29-year-old has enjoyed his time in Italy
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"They sold the best one: Scott McTominay. He was better than those two and he's just grown in his job since he's been at Napoli. I understand why you would use Bruno as a six, but then you want to use him as a 10 as well.
"I still don't like him waving his arms and telling other people what to do all the time. Slightly frustrating. I couldn't have played with him if he was like that."
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