Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has launched a stinging attack on Gary Neville, accusing the Manchester United legend of effectively ending Scott McTominay's career at Old Trafford through excessive criticism.
The Overlap Debate Ignites
The remarkable accusation was made during a heated discussion on the popular football podcast The Overlap. The debate centred on McTominay's stunning success since his surprising transfer from Manchester United to Italian champions Napoli.
Neville himself raised the topic, pondering aloud: “What’s happened to Scott McTominay? Have we made a massive mistake?” This opened the door for Carragher's blunt retort.
“You’ve killed another Man United player, that’s what happened,” Carragher fired back. “Too much criticism, [saying] he’s not good enough.” Fellow pundit Ian Wright supported this view, recalling Neville's past comments that United needed to move the player on.
Neville's Defence and Past Criticism
Faced with these allegations, Gary Neville was quick to defend his record. He insisted he had never advocated for the club to sell the academy graduate and had always viewed him as a valuable squad player.
“I didn’t say he wasn’t good enough… Not me. Seriously I never thought they should have got rid of him,” Neville argued. “I always said at the time, he’s a squad player, in the 15 or 16. He should never have been got rid of.”
However, a review of Neville's past commentary contradicts this defence. Back in 2018, he publicly questioned whether McTominay possessed the technical quality required for a United midfielder, even suggesting his long-term future might lie at centre-back.
McTominay's Meteoric Rise in Italy
The core of this pundit feud is the Scot's extraordinary transformation in Naples. Since his 255-appearance United career ended, McTominay has become a pivotal figure for Napoli.
His statistics are impressive: 18 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions. His impact was immediate and profound, helping Napoli secure the Serie A title in his debut season—a campaign where he was crowned the league's best player.
The success story continues. Under manager Antonio Conte, Napoli are mounting another serious title challenge this season, sitting second only to AC Milan on goal difference. McTominay's contract in Italy runs until 2028, though speculation about a Premier League return, notably linked with Everton, persists.
The debate highlights the intense scrutiny players at top clubs face and the lasting impact punditry can have on perceptions of a footballer's career. While Neville and Carragher clash over the past, McTominay's present in Italy speaks louder than any argument.
