Ten Hag: Man Utd Broke McTominay Promise
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy for reneging on a promise to keep Scott McTominay, revealing that a verbal agreement was struck in Ibiza not to sell the midfielder. In an interview with The Athletic, Ten Hag claimed the board assured him they would align on transfer strategy but then sanctioned McTominay’s £25.7m move to Napoli in summer 2024, bringing in Manuel Ugarte as a replacement. “In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’,” Ten Hag said. “We would go aligned in the transfer window… And in the end, they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed.”
A Promise Broken Among Five
The Dutchman, sacked in October 2024 after a poor start to the season, framed the McTominay sale as one of five broken promises made by INEOS and the United hierarchy, alongside assurances of loyalty, backing, and communication. He argued that McTominay’s unique ability to score from midfield—evidenced by his 10 goals in Ten Hag’s final full campaign, second only to Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes—made him indispensable in tight domestic fixtures. The decision to sell him, Ten Hag insists, undermined his authority and left him feeling isolated from the decision-making process.
McTominay Thriving at Napoli
McTominay’s departure has proven increasingly contentious as he flourishes in Italy. After helping Napoli win Serie A, the Scotland international has continued to deliver crucial moments, most recently scoring twice in a thrilling 4-3 Champions League win over Bodø/Glimt on October 20, 2026. Those were his first goals since undergoing heart surgery in September to correct irregular heart rhythms, a procedure that briefly sidelined him. His brace eased pressure on head coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose side had lost three of their first seven Serie A games and their opening two Champions League fixtures. McTominay’s header and composed finish showcased the goalscoring instinct Ten Hag had warned United would miss.
Context: United’s Recruitment Scrutiny
The timing of Ten Hag’s revelations—just days after McTominay’s European heroics—has intensified scrutiny of United’s recruitment and leadership under INEOS. The club triggered a one-year extension in Ten Hag’s contract after the FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May 2024, only to dismiss him five months later with United 14th in the Premier League. Ten Hag also questioned the manner of his departure, suggesting that data showed progress and that two heavy defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham skewed perceptions. His comments add to a growing narrative that United’s decision-making has been erratic, with McTominay’s success at Napoli serving as a stark counterpoint to their midfield rebuild.
Broader Implications: A Transfer Saga That Won’t Fade
McTominay’s rise at Napoli—from academy graduate to Serie A champion and Champions League match-winner—has become a symbol of United’s recent transfer missteps. For Ten Hag, the sale represented a breach of trust that he believes contributed to his downfall. For United, the episode raises questions about the club’s alignment between boardroom and dugout, particularly under INEOS, which promised a new era of football governance. As McTominay continues to shine in Italy, the broken Ibiza promise will likely fuel further debate about accountability at Old Trafford, where the gap between promise and execution remains under the spotlight.
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