Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has criticized his former club for parting ways with Scott McTominay, who completed a £25 million move to Serie A giants Napoli last summer.
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McTominay, who spent 22 years at the club since joining as a six-year-old, had made 255 appearances for the Red Devils before his departure.
Since moving to Napoli, McTominay has enjoyed a solid start to his career in Italy, playing a key role in helping the club climb to second in Serie A, just two points behind league leaders Atalanta.
His performances have drawn praise from Napoli’s manager Antonio Conte, and the 28-year-old’s confidence is visibly growing as he now starts regularly for the club.
Stam: A Mistake for Manchester United
Stam, reflecting on McTominay’s departure, insists it was a mistake for United to sell the midfielder.
The former United defender believes McTominay was an important figure at Old Trafford, contributing goals and offering experience, even though he wasn’t a guaranteed starter.
Stam added that McTominay’s growth in confidence and performances for Napoli demonstrate that the decision to sell him was not ideal for United.
Mixed Feelings on McTominay’s Departure
Following his departure, McTominay expressed gratitude for his time at United, noting that he would have “snapped your hand off” for the career he had at the club. Despite his move to Italy, he remains a fan of Manchester United and hopes the team continues to succeed.
At the time of the transfer, then-manager Erik ten Hag expressed mixed feelings about McTominay’s exit, acknowledging the midfielder’s importance to United while understanding that selling him might have been a necessary decision.
As McTominay flourishes in Serie A, Manchester United continues to struggle under Ruben Amorim, sitting 13th in the Premier League at Christmas, while Napoli are pushing for the title.