Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed he is "embarrassed" by the club's decision to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli in 2024, following the midfielder's rise to prominence in Italy and on the international stage with Scotland.
McTominay, 28, was a key figure in Antonio Conte's side during his debut campaign at Napoli, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists as the club won the Serie A title. He has since established himself as one of the best players in Italy and helped Scotland qualify for the World Cup.
Broken Promises Over Transfer
Ten Hag, speaking to The Athletic, said he had agreed with the player during a meeting in Ibiza that he would not be sold. "In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, 'No selling Scott McTominay'," he said. "We would go aligned in the transfer window. I make an argument, a reason: we don't have scoring abilities. Scott brings scoring abilities and great mentality. He has United in all his veins. So when they bring up the subject, 'No'. And in the end they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed."
The midfielder left Old Trafford in a £25m deal, having joined the club as a youngster in 2002 and progressed through the academy. At the time, Ten Hag expressed a desire to keep him, but Financial Fair Play rules were cited as a factor, with the sale of homegrown players considered pure profit.
Manager's Sacking and Replacement
Ten Hag was dismissed by United following a defeat to West Ham that left the club in 14th place. He insists the players remained supportive of him and suspects the plan to replace him with Ruud van Nistelrooy was already in motion.
"Maybe they can say differently, but I see on the pitch, and every game they fought. Also, my last game, that was probably one of our best games, we should have won against West Ham," he said. "But I'm sure the process was already ongoing; there were already people — maybe even in the team — who knew what would happen the day after."
