Manchester United have tweaked Erik ten Hag’s midfield options this summer but one departure has been tough to swallow for many supporters.
Erik ten Hag had major problems in midfield last season as Manchester United were cut through at will.
Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence certainly helped United but changes had to come in order for United to try and leave those problems in the past.
Sofyan Amrabat’s loan has now been extended or turned permanent with the Morocco midfielder now joining Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
Hannibal Mejbri has now joined Burnley too with United happy to sell the Tunisian this summer.
United completed two deadline day moves in midfield with Manuel Ugarte finally signing from Paris Saint-Germain as the incoming.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Dan Ashworth on Scott McTominay
The real gut-punch for many United fans came with Scott McTominay’s departure.
The Scotland international bleeds United and has always given his all for the club whilst coming up with some big goals from midfield.
McTominay’s exit has been somewhat divisive with some – including former United midfielder Nemanja Matic – believing that United have made a mistake.
McTominay’s physicality and endeavour have made him popular at United and his £25.7million move to Napoli has been completed with some frustration.
United sporting director Dan Ashworth has now offered his verdict on the deal whilst speaking to the Daily Mail.
Ashworth has admitted that selling McTominay was a ‘brave’ decision but one United had to make.
The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules mean homegrown players from the academy go down as pure profit.
Selling a player like McTominay really helps United in that regard and Ashworth has highlighted that change in the rules.
Ashworth hailed McTominay as a ‘brilliant’ servant to United but accepted that the midfielder may have simply fancied something new.
“The reason you have to make brave decisions is because of the changes in the rules. You have to churn,” said Ashworth. “You have to generate some money in to be able to spend that money back out. So what I think has changed is the number of players who will be one-club players.
“Scott has been fairly open that maybe he needed a change. He’s been at Manchester United for 21 years and been a brilliant servant, but sometimes in life you fancy something different. If all three are right — it’s right for us, it’s right for the player and it’s right for the club they’re going to — then you have to look at it,” he added.
What Erik ten Hag has said about McTominay leaving Manchester United
United fans have, understandably, been left a little emotional by McTominay’s exit.
McTominay gave so much for the club and the idea of him being a one-club man in his career wasn’t all that far-fetched.
Erik ten Hag wasn’t exactly chasing McTominay out of the door either and has offered his view on the deadline day deal.
Ten Hag reacted to McTominay’s United exit by noting that he was an ‘important’ player for United.
Ten Hag pointed to ‘the rules’ though, believing that United simply had to sell McTominay to bring in the cash.
“He was so important for our team. He was at Manchester United for over 22 years. But unfortunately, it’s the rules,” said Ten Hag. “You have to discuss the rules to do sales, and obviously homegrown players, academy players, bring more value. It’s not the right thing to do but, for everyone, for all parties, it’s a good deal.
“For Scott, he is happy with it. Of course, for Napoli. (They are getting) a very good player. But also for us (it’s a good deal too),” he added.
McTominay now joins up with Scotland teammate Billy Gilmour at Napoli and United fans will be cheering him on from afar whilst maybe hoping for him to return to Old Trafford one day.
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