Sir Alex Ferguson has high hopes for Scott McTominay and predicted he would star for Manchester United before moving to Napoli. The midfielder scored Scotland’s impressive opening goal in their 4-2 win over Denmark. This will be the first time since 1998 that Scotland will make it through the qualifying group to qualify for the World Cup. In a thrilling match, they defeated Denmark at Hampden Park and qualified for the North American tournament.
McTominay has had a successful year, scoring the opening goal with a brilliant overhead kick and winning the league title with Napoli. The 28-year-old will join Italy from United in 2024. The midfielder has been with the Manchester club since the age of five and was highly praised by his former manager. United may now regret that decision, especially with legendary manager Ferguson believing he would achieve greatness at Old Trafford before leaving.
In 2021, Ferguson began to establish himself in the first team and spoke about McTominay, who was also named interim captain for FA Cup matches.
The Scottish manager, who won 13 Premier League titles with United, praised McTominay and predicted he would become one of the team’s key players in the future, and he is already very close to doing so.
“Scott McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United’s big players,” Ferguson told the Scottish FA. “When you look at Man United picking their squad for big games, McTominay’s name is in it. He’s a good character and a great trainer. I know a little bit about the kid and I think that’s the background.”
However, McTominay left Old Trafford in August 2024 for £25.7m. Then-manager Erik ten Hag even suggested he wanted the Scotland international to stay, but the command of premium-value homegrown talent under PSR rules meant the club’s options were limited by financial restrictions.
Asked about the sale of McTominay, ten Hagg said: “I have mixed feelings.” “I’m very happy for him, but it’s complicated because I don’t want to lose him. He’s Manchester United in everything. He was very important for Manchester United.”
“He’s been here for over 22 years and unfortunately that’s the rule. Local players bring more value and it’s not the right thing to do, but it’s a good deal for everyone and everyone involved. Scott is happy with it and so are Napoli and us.”
Just over 12 months later, McTominay won the Serie A MVP award for his contribution to Napoli’s championship win. The midfielder is now preparing for the World Cup after scoring his stunning goal, and United may regret allowing such an important figure to leave the club.
Scotland captain and McTominay’s teammate Andy Robertson expressed his joy after the historic win, saying: “I’m really happy it ended the way it did. This group of players, this group of staff, this is the best group I’ve ever been around.”
“The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He lived through the big moments that we had. When we qualified for the Euros – he couldn’t quite remember – we were in Wundervaal and the manager said, ‘Let’s do one more.’
“We were very emotional. To be able to do that for him, the staff and the whole family will go down as one of the best nights of my life. That sums up this team. I’m never going to say die.”
“We just kept going till the end and it’s one of the craziest games. We put the country through this game and I’m sure it was worth it. We’ll go to the World Cup.”
