Italy legend Gianfranco Zola has criticised Manchester United for their decision to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli last summer.
For much of Erik ten Hag’s tenure at the club, McTominay struggled to get minutes, with the former Man United manager clearly favoring the likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Kobbie Mainoo in the centre of the field while preferring captain Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced position.
It thus came as little surprise that the Scottish international called time on his career at Old Trafford, leaving for Napoli ahead of the current campaign. In Zola’s eyes, the Serie A club’s gain was a massive loss for United.
Asked about McTominay in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Zola simply called the midfielder, “One of the best signings of the last summer.”
“Here in England, they can’t understand how United let him go. They struggle to understand it; perhaps it was a choice due to Financial Fair Play. It hasn’t been digested that well,” Zola concluded.
It appears as if Zola is not alone in his view. Paolo di Canio gave a damning assessment of United’s decision to part ways with McTominay, going so far as to say: “I would go to Manchester United to arrest all the directors: how do you give McTominay away?”
While Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers legend Alan Shearer did not openly criticise United’s decision, he felt that McTominay’s move to Italy was the right decision at the right time.
“It was a wise decision for Scott McTominay to move countries and experience something different, not only on a football pitch but in life as well,” he stated, adding, “I wonder what McTominay thinks, looking back at what Man United are doing this season – or rather what they are not doing in terms of performances on the pitch.”
But perhaps no assessment of the current situation is more meaningful than that of the player himself.
“It was a huge decision for me and my family and my friends. Times like that in your life you just have to say; ‘Do I want to do it’? Absolutely, and go for it,” McTominay admitted. “I’ve never had any regrets in my life or my career and I’ll continue that way to this day.”
Life in Italy seems to agree with the Scottish midfielder, who has adjusted seamlessly to the Serie A. He scored two goals and bagged two assists in his first nine league games while scoring in his Coppa Italia debut. (Transfermarkt)
With such efforts, he helped Napoli rise to the top of the Serie A standings, putting them in prime position for a title run along with Champions League qualification.
Still, although the move to Napoli may have worked out well for McTominay, United may be wondering whether they made a mistake by parting ways with the player.
Last season, McTominay was United’s joint second-highest goal scorer in the Premier League.
Given that the team has only found the back of the net on 12 occasions in as many matches, one cannot help but wonder whether McTominay could have provided the firepower that United need in order to improve their fortunes in front of goal.
Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
