Was Manchester United’s Decision to Let Go of Scott McTominay a Monumental Mistake?
Football fans were left scratching their heads after Scott McTominay’s stunning performance for Scotland in their 4-2 victory over Denmark. But here’s where it gets controversial: could Manchester United have made a colossal blunder by letting him go? Let’s dive in.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who parted ways with Manchester United in 2024 to join Serie A’s Napoli, made an immediate impact for his national team in Tuesday’s Group C clash. In just the third minute, McTominay scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick, setting the tone for Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifier. This wasn’t just any goal—it was a statement, one that left fans and critics alike questioning United’s decision to replace him with Manuel Ugarte.
Denmark’s Rasmus Hojlund equalized in the second half, but Scotland’s resilience paid off. Lawrence Shankland restored their lead, and despite Patrick Dorgu’s late goal for the 10-man Danish side, Scotland sealed the deal with two injury-time strikes from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. The win punched Scotland’s ticket to the 2026 World Cup, leaving United fans wondering what could have been.
And this is the part most people miss: McTominay’s departure from Old Trafford was fueled by United’s £50.5m signing of Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. The Scottish star, a product of United’s youth academy, was sold to Napoli for £25.7m, reportedly due to concerns over reduced playing time. Yet, Ugarte has struggled to cement his place in the first team, both under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. Meanwhile, McTominay has thrived under Antonio Conte at Napoli and remains a cornerstone for Steve Clarke’s Scotland.
On social media, United fans were vocal about their disappointment. One fan tweeted, ‘How did we end up selling a legend like McTominay for Ugarte?’ Another added, ‘Replacing McTominay with Ugarte was a mad decision.’ The sentiment was clear: many believe United let go of a proven performer for an unproven alternative.
But here’s the controversial question: Did Manchester United undervalue McTominay’s potential, or was Ugarte simply the wrong choice? And could this decision come back to haunt them in the long run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.