McTominay casts doubts on Ineos decision

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 16 Oct 2024 03:08 CDT
6 min read

Scott McTominay was sold to Napoli in the summer after Ineos overruled Erik ten Hag.

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But former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has admitted that he was ‘surprised’ about the club's decision to let him leave.

It's thought that Erik ten Hag had wanted to keep the free-scoring midfielder but it was Ineos who pushed a sale.

The Scotland international has enjoyed a glowing spell in Italy already in his debut season. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet in Antonio Conte’s side, with two goal contributions in four Serie A matches.

The Red Devils academy graduate had been linked with moves to West Ham and Newcastle two years prior to penning a deal in Naples, with United receiving a transfer fee thought to be around €30.5 million, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €26.9 million currently.

Current ETV

Scott McTominay

M, DM (C)

Napoli

Scott McTominay

M, DM (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€20.2M - €33.7M

What did Macheda say?

And Macheda has been full of praise for McTominay. The Asteras Tripolis. player joined United in 2007. He is mostly known for his famous winning goal against Aston Villa in a 3-2 Premier League win on 5 April 2009.

Now he has spoken about McTominay and his move to Napoli, saying that the "jack of all trades" made the "right choice."

“I know McTominay quite well,” Macheda told Radio Kiss Kiss, as reported by TuttoMercatoWeb.

“I was almost in the first team at Manchester United and he played for the U-16 side. Back then he didn’t have this physicality but you could see that he was a really good guy.

“I’m happy that he’s settling in well at Napoli and he’s doing it quickly. Changing league is not easy and the approach he had proves his will and ability to take on new challenges.

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“He’s a jack of all trades as a footballer. He’s good at making offensive runs and helping the team off the ball. He’s a real worker and I’d define him as a fantastic signing.

“Conte’s presence made a lot. When a coach like him wants you in his team it’s hard to say no. I was surprised that Manchester United decided to sell him.

“He always did well there despite their recent complicated seasons. Without any doubt, leaving and going to Napoli was the right choice.”

McTominay has been the player who covered the most distance in Serie A with an average of 11,911 km per match, per GIFN, showing that he is a workhorse as well as competent in the final third.