Sir Alex Ferguson’s perception of Scott McTominay shows what he saw in the potential of the former Manchester United midfielder when he was at Old Trafford.
A Manchester United youth academy product, the Scotland star had spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford before his exit from Manchester United to Napoli.
Scott McTominay had been a mainstay under several United managers in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, including Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, the 28-year-old Scotland international’s spell at the Premier League club came to an end in 2024, despite Erik ten Hag wanting to keep hold of the player.
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McTominay was offloaded from United and the former Red Devils talent was sold to Serie A outfit Napoli for a £25.7m fee after Manuel Ugarte’s arrival at Old Trafford.
Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson made a major comparison between Sir David Beckham and Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay lifted an FA Cup and a League Cup with Manchester United and made 255 appearances for the Red Devils after his emergence into the first team.
Despite being sold by United, the former Red Devils midfielder has seen his stock value rise after his early success at Napoli under manager Antonio Conte.
Sir Alex Ferguson saw the potential of McTominay when he was at Old Trafford and the iconic former United manager dropped huge praise on his fellow Scotsman.
“Scott McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United’s big players,” he told the Scottish FA in 2021, as per The Sun.
“When you watch Man United pick their team for a big game, McTominay’s name is in it. He’s a good character, a great trainer.”
Ferguson, who led United to all 13 of their Premier League titles, even suggested that he saw shades of Sir David Beckham in McTominay with his development.
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“Scott was a wee [sic] bit like David Beckham,” he added.
“When he joined us, he was just a wee small lad and then, all of a sudden, whoosh, he just shot up.
“David didn’t even get into our youth team the year we won the FA Youth Cup until the semi-final.”
Scott McTominay’s rise for Scotland and Napoli is showing that he is having his ‘Sir David Beckham moment’
McTominay impressed for Scotland on Tuesday after the former United midfielder scored a sensational bicycle kick for the first-half opener against Denmark.
Sir David Beckham might not have lifted any major silverware with England, but the United legend was known for having an impact in a Three Lions shirt.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke is a big admirer of McTominay and hasn’t been afraid to tap into the Napoli ace’s physical strengths in the attacking threat for his side.
The 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over 10-man Denmark at Hampden Park ensured that Scotland would be heading to the 2026 edition of FIFA’s tournament.
Whether it is his role under Napoli boss Antonio Conte or Scotland manager Steve Clarke, there is no denying that McTominay has become a key impact player.
McTominay went from undesirable number one with some United fans to enjoying his own ‘Beckham moment’ in the spotlight with Scotland and Napoli.
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