Marco Materazzi has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay, branding it “one of the biggest transfer mistakes ever” after watching the Scot thrive at Napoli.
The former Inter Milan centre back did not hold back in an interview with Hajper. His message was simple: United gave away a gem for pocket change.
“He is an incredible box to box player,” Materazzi said. “I don’t understand how United sold him for nothing because his value, for me, is £60/70m or more and they sold him for just £26m.
“Is that one of the biggest transfer mistakes we’ve ever seen? I think so, absolutely.”
The PSR excuse
United cited Profit and Sustainability Rules as the reason for accepting such a modest fee. Home grown talent. Pure profit on the books. The accountants were happy.
The fans? Not so much.
McTominay made his United debut in 2017. He went on to make 255 appearances, scoring 29 goals and winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup along the way. He was not a superstar, but he was reliable. He was one of their own.
And now he is gone. For £26m.
Flourishing in Naples
At Napoli, the 29 year old has become a completely different player.
He is a regular starter. A key figure. The second top scorer in the Azzurri’s league campaign. He even earned a Ballon d’Or nomination something that never looked likely during his stop start years at Old Trafford.
Antonio Conte has described him as a “complete player” thanks to his “hard work” and accumulated “experience.” He played a central role in Napoli’s Scudetto triumph in his debut season, scoring in the title clinching match.
Materazzi’s admiration for McTominay goes back years.
“I love Scott McTominay. I love him so much,” he said. “When he broke through at Manchester United as a youngster I laughed because I said to my son that even at 18 or 19 this is a player who will go on to be one of the best players in the world, and now he is one of the best.”
What McTominay says
Despite persistent transfer speculation, the Scot has made it clear he is happy at Napoli. Why would he not be? He is playing the best football of his career. He is loved by the fans. He is competing for titles.
And now, he is Scotland’s greatest hope of a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
The bottom line
United have made plenty of transfer mistakes over the past decade. Paul Pogba for £89m. Alexis Sanchez’s wages. The Antony saga.
But selling a home grown, reliable, hard working midfielder for £26m only to watch him become a star elsewhere? That stings.
Materazzi is right. It is one of the worst sales in recent memory. And United may be regretting it for years to come.
