Ex-Man Utd star names big 'mistake' Erik ten Hag made in transfer window

Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic believes that Erik ten Hag made a big mistake by allowing Scott McTominay to leave the club this summer. Red Devils academy product McTominay signed for Napoli on the same day Manuel Ugarte landed at Old Trafford to take his place.

United spent an initial £42million on Ugarte and sanctioned the sale of McTominay to help with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) compliance. As a homegrown player, McTominay’s £25m transfer fee provides a huge boost to the club’s accounts.

The Scotland star made over 250 first-team appearances and spent more than two decades on United’s books. Matic, who played for the Red Devils between 2017 and 2022, feels he should not have been sold.

“My opinion is that Man Utd made a mistake by selling Scott McTominay,” he wrote on X. “Today it is difficult to replace a player like him. (Napoli manager Antonio) Conte is a smart man.”

McTominay will join up with fellow Scottish international Billy Gilmour in Naples after the Serie A side’s ambitious double swoop on deadline day. United landed their top target in Ugarte, but Ten Hag admitted he did not know how to feel after waving goodbye to his long-serving midfielder.

“It’s a little bit mixed,” he said. “I’m very happy for (McTominay) and it’s also for us, but it’s mixed, because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him, because he is Man United in every vein. He was so important for our team, for Manchester United. He was here for over 22 years.

“Unfortunately, it’s the rules. We have to discuss the (PSR) rules when you have to do sales and then, obviously, homegrown players, academy players, they bring more value.

“That’s not the right thing to do, but yeah, I think for everyone, for all parts, it’s a good deal. For Scott, he’s happy with it. Of course, for Napoli, a very good player.”

United will press on without McTominay against bitter rivals Liverpool this afternoon (Sunday). Ten Hag has started the new season with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo as his two holding midfielders, and that looks set to continue as Ugarte was not registered in time to be considered for selection.

New signings Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt will be pushing to start after seeing action from the bench so far this campaign, while fellow summer recruit Noussair Mazraoui is hoping to keep his place in the starting line-up.