Revealed: Scott McTominay’s final words to Erik ten Hag before ‘big decision’ to leave Man United and join Napoli
- Scott McTominay joined Napoli from Man United this summer for £25.7 million
- The Scottish star has had a great start in Serie A with this team
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts! The reason why Pep Guardiola would leave Manchester City
Scott McTominay has opened up about his final words to then Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as he ended a 22-year partnership with the Red Devils last summer.
The Scottish star completed a £25.7million move to Serie A giants Napoli after often being the lightning rod for criticism at United under Ten Hag.
Since arriving in Naples, the 28-year-old has breathed new life into his side, scoring three goals and providing three assists for Antonio Conte’s title chasers. The decision to swap Manchester for southern Italy appears to have been a smart one and the midfielder revealed that his intention to ‘look for the number one’ fueled his desire for change.
McTominay claimed he said that to Ten Hag during a difficult final day at Carrington, despite the Dutchman’s preference to stay at Old Trafford.
‘On my last day I had to visit everyone and it was not easy to say goodbye. But that’s football,” he told BBC Scotland. ‘That’s life. I spoke to him [Ten Hag]. He expressed his opinion about the situation.
‘I said, ‘listen, it’s my career, I’m here to further myself’. In this situation, I have to look for number one and go with my gut feeling about what I want to do in my career, and not let other external factors hold me back. It was friendly.
Scott McTominay has revealed his final conversation with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag before leaving Old Trafford in the summer
The 28-year-old has quickly become a fan favorite for Antonio Conte’s title chasers in Naples
His former teammate Marcus Rashford also appears to be facing a ‘big decision’ after admitting he needs a ‘new challenge’
‘I love that football club very much, they have been my life for 22 years, but I have now moved on. I’m having a great time here.’
McTominay has already become a favorite among supporters of the 2023 Serie A winners as Conte’s side are just two points off the top of the table after 16 games.
“It was a big decision, but in some ways it was quite simple,” he added. “I saw the passionate fans, I saw the coach, I saw the players and I saw an opportunity. I took it. I didn’t look back.
‘It didn’t take me long to make the decision because I knew it was what I wanted and something I will never regret in my life. As soon as I have something in mind, I want to do it. That’s it. There’s nothing stopping me.’
The ‘big decision’ that befell McTominay has now been handed over to his former team-mate Marcus Rashford, who this week sensationally revealed he is ready for a ‘new challenge’.
The 27-year-old was left out of United’s squad for Sunday’s Manchester derby win over rivals City.
”If I leave, it will be ‘no hard feelings’. You won’t get any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person,” Rashford told former Times journalist Henry Winter.
‘If I know a situation is already bad, I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen other players leave in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave, I will make a statement, and it will be mine.”
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag last month, insisted there is still a route for the academy graduate to stay at his boyhood club, but a move in the coming January window or in the summer is looking increasingly likely.
