Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that the club sold Scott McTominay to Napoli in the summer of 2024 against his explicit wishes — a revelation that comes as reports emerge linking the Scotland international with a return to Old Trafford.

Speaking to The Athletic, ten Hag described how he had reached an agreement with United's hierarchy during a meeting in Ibiza to keep McTominay, only for the club to reverse course. "That's why I got disappointed. In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, 'No selling Scott McTominay'," ten Hag said. "We would go aligned in the transfer window. I make an argument, a reason: we don't have scoring abilities."

The Dutch coach was firm in his assessment of what McTominay brought to the side. "Scott brings scoring abilities and great mentality. He has United in all his veins," he said. "So when they bring up the subject, 'No'. And in the end they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed."

McTominay's numbers tell the story

McTominay came through United's academy and made 255 appearances across all competitions for the club, contributing 29 goals and eight assists. He lifted the FA Cup and the EFL Cup once each during his time at Old Trafford before departing for £25.2 million, including add-ons. Manuel Ugarte, signed from Paris Saint-Germain that same summer, was brought in as his replacement.

The midfielder has since flourished in Italy. Across 85 appearances in all competitions for Napoli, McTominay has recorded 27 goals and 10 assists — numbers that helped the club clinch the Serie A title in the 2024/25 season. At 29 years old, he has firmly established himself as one of Napoli's most influential players.

A possible return to Old Trafford?

On October 6, Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that United's co-owners, INEOS, are keen to bring McTominay back to Manchester. Both Manchester United and Aston Villa reportedly made enquiries over a potential transfer in the summer of 2026.

According to the report, McTominay's agent has maintained close contact with several Premier League clubs and has held preliminary talks about his client's future. The midfielder is said to be "nostalgic for Great Britain and open to the idea of returning to the Premier League," with United still believed to be interested.