Manchester United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli for just £25 million has been branded as ‘atrocious’ by football pundit Graeme Souness.
The former Liverpool player and manager has criticised the club’s transfer strategy, suggesting that McTominay’s departure sums up Manchester United’s poor decision-making in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Scott McTominay’s Impact at Napoli
Since joining Napoli last summer, McTominay has been in superb form, playing a crucial role in Antonio Conte’s side.
The Scottish midfielder has scored six Serie A goals this season, helping Napoli challenge for the league title. His performances have reinforced the belief among many that Manchester United made a costly mistake in letting him go.
🏴 Scott McTominay has won the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Men's International Player of the Year award for the second year running ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/D1ehvTmuJb
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 23, 2025
Graeme Souness Blasts Manchester United’s ‘Atrocious’ Decision
Souness did not hold back when discussing McTominay’s exit, telling the Daily Mail, “Oh how Manchester United must regret selling Scott McTominay. He’s a fantastic modern footballer. A high-energy, box-to-box workaholic who chips in with important goals.”
Souness was particularly critical of United’s financial choices, highlighting their significant outlay on alternative midfielders.
“They’d gone out and spent £58m on an ageing, 30-year-old Casemiro, and paid him £370,000 a week. And another £42m on Manuel Ugarte. Collective transfer fees of £100m.
“Would someone at United please hold their hand up and say, ‘This was my shout.’ Because it’s been an atrocious piece of judgement. The perfect example of the mismanagement on an industrial scale at that club since Fergie packed in.”
Pat Nevin Calls McTominay Sale a ‘Monster Mistake’
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin has also weighed in, stating that Manchester United drastically undervalued McTominay.
“I think Scott McTominay was worth £50 million before he left Manchester United,” Nevin said. “It was a monster mistake by United. If you asked any Scottish people when he left for £25 million, everybody went, ‘You what?'”
Nevin also emphasised McTominay’s leadership and spirit, qualities that United currently lack.
“You’ve got Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, fabulous players in their time, but their time’s coming up, and you’re getting rid of McTominay? That’s just finance. That’s nothing else.”
🗣️ "I would never have thought that when I was a young boy."
🏴 Scott McTominay on reaching 60 international caps against Greece, life in Italy with Napoli, and new faces in the Scotland camp ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Z3nS5Fsf6A
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 22, 2025
Manchester United’s Struggles Without McTominay
While McTominay is thriving in Italy, United have struggled in the Premier League this season, spending much of the campaign in the bottom half of the table.
The midfield issues at Old Trafford have been well-documented, with Casemiro’s form declining and Ruben Amorim’s side lacking the energy and physicality that McTominay brought to the team.
The decision to sell McTominay now looks increasingly questionable, with calls growing louder for United to re-evaluate their transfer strategy.
Some pundits even suggest that the club should consider re-signing him, though his market value has likely increased since his move to Napoli.
Will Manchester United Try to Bring McTominay Back?
Given McTominay’s resurgence in Naples, United may find themselves in a position where they would want to rectify their mistake.
However, a return for the Scottish international is unlikely any time soon, particularly at a time where United will need to cough up a significantly higher price than they sold him for.
As the Red Devils continue to struggle, the decision to part ways with McTominay serves as yet another example of Manchester United’s poor transfer planning.
If McTominay goes on to lift the Serie A title with Napoli, it will only add salt to the wound for the United fans who believe he should never have been sold in the first place.
