BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United Boss Admits Selling Scott McTominay Was a Mistake
In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that allowing Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay to leave the club was a mistake. Just months after the player’s departure, Ten Hag’s candid admission has reopened debates over United’s midfield strategy, decision-making at the boardroom level, and the long-term vision of the club.
Here’s the full story on what Ten Hag said, the implications of his admission, and what it means for Manchester United going forward.
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💬 Ten Hag’s Candid Confession
Speaking during a press conference ahead of Manchester United’s pre-season tour, Erik ten Hag was asked about squad depth and the midfield department. In an uncharacteristically open response, the Dutch manager said:
> “If I’m being honest, I think we underestimated Scott’s importance. Letting him go wasn’t the right decision in hindsight. He gave us something different – energy, leadership, and a connection to the club. We miss that.”
Ten Hag didn’t stop there. He elaborated further, stating that McTominay’s departure had left a “gap” in the midfield, especially in terms of physicality, work rate, and transitional play — areas where United struggled during key matches last season.
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🧱 McTominay’s Role at United: Underrated and Underappreciated?
Scott McTominay was a polarizing figure at Manchester United. A product of the club’s youth academy, he made his senior debut under José Mourinho and quickly earned a reputation for hard work, discipline, and tactical versatility.
Though not as flashy as Bruno Fernandes or as technically gifted as Christian Eriksen, McTominay was the kind of player managers loved to have: reliable, industrious, and always ready to fight for the badge. His ability to play as a holding midfielder, box-to-box engine, or even emergency centre-back made him a valuable squad asset.
Still, as United pursued more ‘progressive’ midfielders like Casemiro, Mason Mount, and eventually Kobbie Mainoo, McTominay’s minutes dwindled — and so did his perceived value.
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💸 The Transfer and the Fallout
In the summer of 2024, Scott McTominay completed a £28 million move to West Ham United after weeks of speculation. The move was seen by many as a win-win: United cashed in on a homegrown player, and West Ham gained a ready-made Premier League midfielder.
But what followed stunned even the most skeptical observers.
McTominay hit the ground running in East London, becoming one of West Ham’s most consistent performers. He quickly became a leader on and off the pitch, contributing goals, assists, and, crucially, the kind of midfield tenacity that United lacked throughout the season.
Pundits such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have repeatedly cited McTominay’s sale as one of the club’s biggest errors in recent memory.
> “You don’t realise how important someone is until they’re gone,” Scholes said on a recent episode of The Overlap. “Scott wasn’t glamorous, but he did the dirty work. He allowed others to play.”
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📉 Manchester United’s Midfield Struggles
After McTominay’s exit, Manchester United struggled to find midfield balance. Casemiro looked a shadow of his former self — often injured and overrun in midfield battles. Mason Mount failed to establish himself due to form and fitness issues, while young talent Kobbie Mainoo was forced into the spotlight earlier than anticipated.
Ten Hag rotated midfield pairings, tested new formations, and even deployed defenders like Lisandro Martínez in midfield roles to plug the gaps — all with limited success.
The loss of McTominay’s work rate, aerial presence, and box-to-box drive became glaring, especially in high-stakes matches where United were often bullied in midfield.
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🧠 Why United Let Him Go
So why was McTominay sold in the first place?
Several factors contributed to the decision:
1. Financial Fair Play (FFP) Considerations – As an academy product, McTominay’s sale counted as 100% profit, helping United balance the books amid strict FFP guidelines.
2. Tactical Shift – Ten Hag wanted a more technically refined midfield, prioritising ball progression and creativity over physicality.
3. Squad Overhaul – With multiple incoming midfielders, including Mount and Amrabat (on loan), United needed to offload to make room.
But it appears now that United may have sacrificed substance for style — and they’re paying the price.
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🗣️ Fan Reactions: “We Told You So”
The Manchester United fanbase has been quick to respond to Ten Hag’s comments — and reactions are mixed.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), many fans expressed frustration that the club only now recognises McTominay’s value.
> @RedDevilRants: “We told them! McTominay wasn’t the problem — the system was. Now look, we’re begging for physicality in midfield.”
Others, however, questioned whether Ten Hag’s statement was sincere or simply a tactic to deflect criticism from current performances.
> @UnitedFaithful: “If Ten Hag thought McTominay was this valuable, why didn’t he play him more before the sale? This feels like revisionism.”
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🔮 Could a Return Be Possible?
One question now dominates the headlines: Could McTominay return to Old Trafford?
Though under contract at West Ham, speculation is already swirling about a possible buy-back clause or summer pursuit. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United did not include a buy-back clause, but the door remains open.
“McTominay is loved at United — by players, staff, and fans,” a source close to the club revealed. “If the opportunity arose, I wouldn’t rule out a shock return.”
That said, West Ham are under no pressure to sell, and McTominay himself seems happy and thriving under David Moyes (or his successor, depending on current managerial changes).
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🧭 What Happens Next for Ten Hag and United?
Ten Hag’s admission adds a new layer of complexity to United’s transfer strategy and squad planning. It also underscores the importance of character and leadership in building a winning team — qualities McTominay had in abundance.
With a midfield rebuild potentially on the cards again, names like João Neves, Manuel Ugarte, and Adrien Rabiot are being linked. But will they bring what McTominay did — that intangible grit and devotion to the club?
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⚽ Final Thoughts
Erik ten Hag’s bold confession could be a turning point in how Manchester United value their homegrown talents. McTominay’s exit, once seen as routine business, is now being viewed as a misstep — one that cost United balance, leadership, and consistency in a crucial area of the pitch.
Football is a game of decisions — and sometimes, it’s the ones you regret that leave the deepest impact.
One thing’s for sure: Scott McTominay’s name won’t be forgotten at Old Trafford any time soon.
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#MUFC | #ScottMcTominay | #TenHag | #PremierLeague
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