Erik ten Hag has accused Manchester United's hierarchy of breaking promises made to him and said the sale of Scott McTominay left him "embarrassed". The former United manager made the comments in his first major interview since being sacked by the club in October 2024.
Ten Hag was dismissed months after signing a contract extension with United. He won the FA Cup in May 2024, adding to the Carabao Cup from the previous campaign, but was still under pressure. United spoke with Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi that summer before triggering a clause in Ten Hag's contract to extend his stay.
The decision proved short-lived, as Ratcliffe and United executives sacked the manager after a defeat by West Ham. Two years on, Ten Hag has opened up about the events in an interview with The Athletic.
Promises of loyalty and backing
"I wouldn't go on with only one year left," Ten Hag said. "So I said, 'I need an extra year and we have to do it together'. 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."
One of the promises Ten Hag says was made was to keep midfielder Scott McTominay, who had scored 10 goals in the 2024/25 season. However, United sold the academy graduate to Napoli for £25 million, and the Scotland international has thrived in Italy.
"That's why I got disappointed," Ten Hag said. "In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, 'No selling Scott McTominay'. We would go aligned in the transfer window."
McTominay's success at Napoli
"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."
McTominay has 27 goals and 10 assists in 85 games for Napoli and helped the club win the Serie A title in his debut campaign. His transfer has been viewed as a major blunder by United, who used the funds to sign Manuel Ugarte for £50 million from Paris Saint-Germain.
McTominay's exit was not the only transfer that left Ten Hag unhappy. The former Ajax boss says he pushed for the signings of Frenkie de Jong, Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
Failed transfer targets
Speaking about De Jong, Ten Hag said: "Everyone's thinking the manager is doing the negotiations, that I'm involved in financial issues, but I was never. Of course, I did my best; I set up meetings with him, where it was (former chief executive) Richard [Arnold] and (ex-football director) John [Murtough] involved as well, to pursue him to come over. He could have been very important building the team, not only that year but for the future. But we didn't make it."
