Key Takeaways:
- Erik ten Hag revealed Manchester United sold Scott McTominay to Napoli during the 2024 summer transfer window despite assuring him otherwise
- McTominay notched 10 goals in his final season at United, ranking behind only Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund
- Ten Hag expressed disappointment over perceived broken promises regarding squad decisions and his own contract extension
Transfer Decisions Spark Managerial Frustration
Erik ten Hag has openly criticised the Manchester United board following his departure as the club’s manager, alleging that multiple assurances were not honoured prior to his sacking. Chief among these commitments, according to Ten Hag, was a pledge that Scott McTominay would not be sold during the 2024 summer window. Despite being a product of the United academy and considered integral by Ten Hag for his drive and scoring prowess, McTominay was transferred to Napoli, paving the way for Manuel Ugarte to join as a replacement.
🚨 Erik ten Hag reveals to @TheAthleticFC: “In Ibiza, we agreed. I said: NO selling Scott McTominay”.
“Scott has United in all his veins: I said clearly: no exit”.
“And in the end… they sold him. I was very embarassed and disappointed”. https://t.co/QvZFMg3NGQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2026
McTominay has since flourished in Serie A, playing a key part in Napoli’s title-winning campaign over the past two years, an outcome that has heightened Ten Hag’s sense of disappointment regarding the decision. The Dutch manager described his emotions around McTominay’s departure as “very embarrassed and disappointed.”
Ten Hag on McTominay’s Value and United’s Attack
During his final full season at Old Trafford, McTominay scored 10 goals across all competitions, a tally surpassed only by Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund, each netting 16. Ten Hag maintained that the Scotland international offered a unique combination of technical ability and club spirit, which he believed was vital for the team’s goal-scoring output.
Contract Negotiations Lead to Division
Ten Hag signed a contract extension two weeks after Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, activating a one-year option on his deal which otherwise was due to expire in 12 months. The Dutchman explained that he was unwilling to continue with only a year left at the club, insisting on more security and shared goals through “loyalty, backing, and communication” from the leadership. However, Ten Hag stated that the promises made to him at that point were not upheld, deepening his sense of disappointment.
Manager’s Departure and Reflections on the United Project
Reflecting on the decision to part ways, Ten Hag described the timing as “quite weird” given that, by his assessment, the team’s data and performance metrics indicated positive progress. While acknowledging two disappointing matches against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, Ten Hag believed that the playing style and team effort were heading in the right direction, culminating in what he considered one of their strongest displays in his last match versus West Ham United.
The former manager also hinted at early knowledge among some individuals within the club regarding his impending exit: “But I’m sure the process was already ongoing; there were already people – maybe even in the team – who knew what would happen the day after.”
