Graeme Souness has criticised the decision to sell Scott McTominay (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United)
Graeme Souness has lambasted Manchester United's decision to offload Scott McTominay to Napoli in a £25million deal last summer. The Scottish midfielder, who had been instrumental for the Red Devils the previous season, was sold as part of the club's restructuring efforts. Souness, the former Liverpool and Rangers boss, has mocked United's decision to let go of McTominay, who was only outscored by Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes under Erik ten Hag's management last term.
Since his move to Italy, McTominay has adapted swiftly and flourished under Antonio Conte's guidance at Napoli. The 28-year-old has notched up seven goals and four assists in 31 appearances, quickly establishing himself as a key player for the Serie A giants. Souness is baffled that United chose to sign Manuel Ugarte instead, even suggesting they should consider re-signing their academy graduate, whom Ten Hag was reluctant to sell.
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"Oh how Manchester United must regret selling Scott McTominay," Souness wrote for the Daily Mail. "He's a fantastic modern footballer. A high-energy, box-to-box workaholic who chips in with important goals.
"He was 27 years old and not hurting United with his wages when the club's 'decision-makers' thought it was a bright idea to sell him to Napoli for £25million. 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 judgment.
"The perfect example of the mismanagement on an industrial scale at that club since Fergie packed in. McTominay has flourished at Napoli. Maybe United should be asking themselves how much it will cost to get him back."
Scott McTominay has flourished in Naples (Image: Elianton/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, McTominay has not dwelled on why United would let him leave Old Trafford. The Napoli star confirmed earlier this season that he was keen to seize the opportunity to move to Italy.
"I didn't look back," he stated. "It didn't take me long to make the decision because I knew that was what I wanted and I'll never have any regrets in my life where, as soon as I've put my mind to something, I want to do it. That's it. There's no holding you back.
"For me, I love this place. I love the fans, my team-mates – it's been a pleasure to be with Billy every day, rather than just with Scotland. We've helped each other a lot, which has been good as well.
"Was I surprised (they let me go)? I don't know. You'll have to ask them. I don't read the newspapers, or read too much that goes on in terms of social media, so I wouldn't know too much of the reaction. It's not important.
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"The decision has been made on both parts and it was a mutual decision. For all of us, it was a case of there's an opportunity, do you want to go? Obviously, I know from their side, FFP is difficult so it's not easy for football clubs to make a decision in regards to homegrown players.
"For me, that was never in my thought process. My thought process was coming here, seeing the fans and how passionate they are, the coach and hopefully coming here to do really good things."
