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Revelations from Scotland national team manager Steve Clarke have shed light on the emotional truth behind Scott McTominay’s exit from Manchester United.

In the summer of 2024, Manchester United decided to part ways with McTominay. Despite the midfielder’s impressive 2023–24 campaign, where he scored seven goals across 32 appearances, INEOS, the club’s ownership group, chose to sell him. Napoli secured his signature for £25 million.

The move to the Serie A club turned out to be a turning point in McTominay’s career, as he rediscovered his best form in Naples.

Once considered a standard midfielder at Old Trafford, McTominay became a key figure in Napoli’s attack, significantly influencing their offensive play.

During the 2024–25 season, he registered 12 goals and four assists, playing an instrumental role in Napoli’s Scudetto triumph.

His outstanding performances earned him the Serie A Player of the Year award, a spot in the Serie A Team of the Season, and even a Ballon d’Or nomination.

Following this resurgence, rumours soon emerged linking McTominay with a return to the Premier League, with Manchester United themselves reportedly interested in re-signing him.

However, the midfielder chose to stay at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Despite enduring injury setbacks last season, McTominay still managed to produce a solid campaign, scoring 10 league goals and contributing three assists in 33 appearances.

For a player once tipped by a former interim manager as a future captain at United, the Scottish international has now established himself as a global football star.

Steve Clarke suggested that had United supporters shown more faith in McTominay, they might still be witnessing his brilliance at Old Trafford.

“People think his story is incredible, but he’s simply another victim of social media criticism,” Clarke shared with Telegraph Sport.

“He played for Manchester United, and every manager who came in continued to select him.

“Sometimes he didn’t start, but he was always involved — either coming off the bench or getting minutes on the pitch.”

“If he had received the same support from the social media critics at Manchester United, perhaps he would still be there as an important player for them.”

It is indeed disheartening that United fans turned away from a homegrown talent who had been with the club since the age of five.

While McTominay has moved on and built a successful new chapter in Italy, the episode serves as a lesson for supporters to show greater patience and belief in players who represent their club.

Backing players wholeheartedly can instil in them the confidence and passion needed to give everything for the badge.

Featured image: Timothy Rogers via Getty Images