‘Every time I saw Manchester United play, Scott McTominay stood out. I was surprised they allowed him to go’ Gary McAllister on a decision the Red Devils got wrong

Scott McTominay celebrates scoring his side's goal against Switzerland at Euro 2024. — Scott McTominay swapped Manchester United for Napoli in 2024 (Image credit: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

For years, Manchester United have prided themselves on their ability to produce a conveyor belt of midfielders who were capable of performing at the highest level for the Red Devils.

The perfect example of this would be the midfield talent that came through during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, as the likes of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs were what propelled the club to their 13 Premier League titles under the Scot.

But for another Scottish legend, there is one who has got away in recent years.

McAllister on Man United's bad decision

Former Leeds United and Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister made 57 appearances for his national side, which included a four-year stint as captain.

And as the 61-year-old prepares to watch his country in action at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years this summer, he cannot believe that Manchester United let Scott McTominay leave the club.

Scott McTominay celebrates his late double for Manchester United against Brentford in October 2023. — McTominay ame up through the youth ranks at Carrington (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Every time I saw them play, McTominay stood out,” McAllister tells FourFourTwo.

“He was trying like a bear, right through 90 minutes, when others were walking around. I was surprised that Manchester United allowed him to go.”

McTominay left Old Trafford for Italian side Napoli in a £25million move in the summer of 2024 and quickly became a fans’ favourite in Naples, as he helped the club win their first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona during his first season in Italy.

A Ballon d’Or nomination followed that season, with the 29-year-old having netted 26 goals across his first two seasons at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Not only that, but McTominay has also delivered on the international front, scoring a sublime bicycle kick in the victory over Denmark last year, which sealed Scotland’s place at the upcoming World Cup.

Scotland captain Gary McAllister at Euro 96 — Gary McAllister won 57 caps for Scotland (Image credit: Alamy)

“Maybe Scott might be surprised at what he’s done in Serie A,” McAllister continues.

“I knew he’d go there and do well, but he’s getting close to the realms of Maradona as far as popularity with the fans.

“You can see why he’s so loved, because he sets an amazing example.”

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For more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.

With contributions from

Alasdair Mackenzie