Erik ten Hag has revealed that Manchester United failed to honour promises made to him before his dismissal as manager, including an assurance that Scott McTominay would not be sold in the 2024 summer transfer window. The former boss said the Scotland international's departure left him feeling "very embarrassed and disappointed".
Broken promises over McTominay
Speaking to The Athletic, Ten Hag recalled a meeting in Ibiza where the agreement was made. "In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, 'No selling Scott McTominay'. We would go aligned in the transfer window."
He explained his reasoning: "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."
Despite his stance, McTominay was eventually sold to Napoli, with Manuel Ugarte arriving as his replacement. "So when they bring up the subject, 'No'. And in the end, they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed," Ten Hag added.
Contract extension and dismissal
Ten Hag also discussed the contract extension he received a fortnight after winning the FA Cup against Manchester City. With only 12 months left on his deal, United activated a clause extending it by a further year. "I wouldn't go on with only one year left," he said. "So I said, 'I need an extra year, and we have to do it together.'"
He claimed the club made commitments that were not kept. "They promised me loyalty, they promised me backing, they promised communication, that we get aligned. We spoke about the issues. But the promises, they didn't keep. That's why I got disappointed."
Reflecting on his sacking
Looking back on his departure, Ten Hag said: "I think it was quite weird to separate ways in that moment. All the data was showing we are good. OK, two poor games to Liverpool and Spurs. We were starting the process. Let it progress; the gameplay is getting better."
He added: "Maybe they (the players) 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."
McTominay netted 10 times across all competitions in his final complete campaign for United, with only Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund scoring more, with 16 each. Ten Hag is now the technical director of Eredivisie club Twente.
