Football
The ‘atrocious’ reason Man Utd sold Scott McTominay who is now a Napoli legend
Of all the questionable decisions Manchester United made over the past year, letting Scott McTominay leave might be the one they regret most.
The Scottish midfielder just wrapped up a sensational first season at Napoli, capping it off with a stunning bicycle kick that helped secure the Serie A title with a 2-0 win over Cagliari.
McTominay has taken Italy by storm. In just one season, he’s become a fan favorite, earned the league’s MVP award, and scored 12 goals.
His impact has been so profound that he broke down in tears at the final whistle, overwhelmed by what he’d achieved in a city that once idolized Diego Maradona.
Under Antonio Conte’s guidance, he’s grown into a player defined as complete and has been the driving force behind Napoli’s title-winning campaign.
Back in England, Manchester United are floundering in 16th place in the Premier League. They were recently beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final, a stark contrast to McTominay’s celebrations in Naples. It begs the obvious question—why did United ever let him go?
McTominay isn’t the only ex-United player thriving abroad. Romelu Lukaku also played a major role in Napoli’s success this season.
For McTominay, the move ended a 22-year spell at Old Trafford. He joined United at the age of five and made his senior debut under Jose Mourinho in 2017. His departure last summer came with a modest £25 million price tag, a fee now widely viewed as a bargain.
Former manager Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed in November, had no desire to lose McTominay. However, he admitted the club’s hands were tied due to the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Selling homegrown players like McTominay counted as pure profit in financial reporting, and that ultimately made him expendable.
Ten Hag described the situation as unfortunate, noting how vital McTominay had been and how the club had little choice under the circumstances.
McTominay himself seemed at peace with the decision. He said he had to prioritize himself and didn’t hesitate when Napoli made their offer. He made it clear he had no regrets and was fully committed to succeeding in his new chapter.
While United spent over £200 million on new players last summer, none have come close to making the impact McTominay has in Italy. At the time of the transfer, the decision drew criticism from former players—and those voices have only grown louder.
Alan Shearer questioned what McTominay must think watching United’s decline. He suggested the midfielder likely feels vindicated by his decision, given the contrast in fortunes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who managed McTominay during his time at United, was equally baffled by the sale. He recalled McTominay as a player who gave 100 percent every day and couldn’t understand why the club let him go.
Graeme Souness was even harsher in his assessment, calling the decision one of the worst since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
He highlighted McTominay’s age and manageable wages as further evidence that United had miscalculated.
Souness said someone at the club should take responsibility for what he called a glaring misjudgment, pointing to it as another example of long-term mismanagement.
As United prepare for a summer without European football, the consequences of that decision loom even larger.
Meanwhile, McTominay finds himself the hero of Naples, celebrating a title and showing what can happen when belief, opportunity, and talent all align.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
-
Football2 months agoAntony scores another worldie with stunning free-kick vs ex-Man Utd team-mate
-
Football1 month agoGuardiola refuses to shake hands with Palace star as Man City boss makes his feelings clear at the final whistle
-
Football1 month agoLionel Messi involved in furious argument with referee after Inter Miami game
-
Football1 month agoMan Utd wonderkid dubbed ‘Next Yamal’ could snub Spain for England
-
Football1 month agoREVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham
-
Football2 months agoWatch Harry Maguire turn into Lamine Yamal as he humiliates Bilbao defender
-
Football2 months agoAmorim spotted with new plaster on his knuckles after half-time vs Bilbao
-
Football2 months agoMan Utd fans name two players who ‘can’t start’ in the Europa League final despite win vs Athletic Bilbao