Football
Ex-Man Utd Star Gutted with McTominay’s Departure and Highlights Defensive Concerns
Manchester United legend Brian McClair expresses disappointment over Scott McTominay's move to Napoli and highlights defensive concerns at Old Trafford, despite summer signings. McClair shares his insights on McTominay's transfer and Man Utd's struggles.
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Manchester United legend Brian McClair was gutted to see Scott McTominay depart for Napoli.
The former Scotland international got to work closely with his compatriot when he was the Red Devils’ Director of Youth Academy.
But the five-time Premier League winner hopes his former charge dazzles in Italy.
Scott McTominay to Napoli
"I’m very biased because Scott of course represents Scotland, and we share the same birthday,” McClair told SportsBoom.com.
“I can go back to times where Scott had difficult periods in his formative time as a young academy boy, but I feel very privileged to have watched him grow into the adult and football player that he is.”
Hopefully he’ll have a wonderful time at Napoli, but you’re always disappointed when the players that have been there since they were eight years of age, are no longer required, because there’s a view that it’s better to take the money.
Brian McClair
Financial Fair Play and the Business of Player Sales
"It’s been well-documented that academy products or players, with regards to financial fair play, go in as pure profit.”
“The cynical side of me would suggest that it may be the case (with McTominay’s transfer), but maybe it’s just down to football terms - they think that they’ve got (Manuel) Ugarte at three or four years younger, and that maybe he’s a bit of a better player.”
"It’s a great game we are involved in and it’s all down to opinion."
McTominay, who debuted for United in 2017 and made 255 club appearances under four permanent managers, scored 10 goals in 43 matches’ last season.
The 27-year-old was sold to Serie A side Napoli in a £25.7million deal and joined by fellow Scotland international Billy Gilmour, who left Brighton in a £12million deal.
Defensive Struggles and Summer Signings
However, United have splashed the cash on reinforcements this summer and McClair believes his former team should be better placed to improve on their woeful eighth place finish last term.
"Anyone could see the main place Manchester United needed to strengthen was their defence, which hasn’t been up to the standards that Manchester United teams have had in the past,” stressed McClair, who won a staggering 14 pieces of silverware in a distinguished 11-year spell with the club between 1987-1998.
"Although Manchester United have very much a tradition of being an attacking team, you have to have a platform. And a platform is built with a strong defence,” added the 30-capped Scot.
They’ve signed a couple of defenders that you would imagine when they’re fit, will all play.
Brian McClair
The Ugarte Addition and Competition in Midfield
"They’re looking at the moment like it’s almost going to go through that they’re signing Ugarte from PSG, who’s very much a defensive midfield player.”
“I believe his pleasure is winning the ball back, which will put some competition on the defensive midfield players that are available at the moment.”
“But I’m not sure if that’s potentially a threat to Casemiro’s position."
*Read Brian McClair's Premier League score predictions for each game week of the Premier League season on Gambling.com.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.