Gary Neville’s Scott McTominay take proved wrong, Jamie Carragher’s ‘killing’ jibe

Scott McTominay continues to thrive in Italy after joining Napoli from Manchester United and Gary Neville has fronted up on his previous criticism of the midfielder during his time at Old Trafford

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What you need to know about Gary Neville’s Scott McTominay admission

• Scott McTominay’s Post-United Success: Scott McTominay has experienced immense success since his transfer from Manchester United to the Italian giants Napoli. He has flourished in Italy, notably scoring 18 goals in 53 appearances, winning the Serie A title, and even being named the league’s best player.
• Neville’s Regret: Following the Scottish international’s brilliant form abroad, former United captain Neville voiced his doubt over the transfer decision. He openly questioned his fellow pundits on The Overlap show, asking if the club had made a “massive mistake” in letting the player leave Old Trafford.
• Jamie Carragher’s Counter-Attack: Carragher immediately responded by pointing the blame directly at Neville for the player’s exit. Carragher suggested that Neville’s excessive, public criticism and claims that the player was “not good enough” had effectively “killed” McTominay’s United career.
• Ian Wright’s Supporting Testimony: Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright corroborated Carragher’s accusation, recalling that he remembered Neville explicitly calling for United to sell McTominay. Wright added that the relentless criticism had been challenging for the player, who seemed to simply be seeking “some freedom” to perform away from the spotlight.
• Neville’s Defence of His Stance: Neville quickly launched a defence against the accusations, firmly insisting that he never stated the club should have sold McTominay. He clarified that he always considered the midfielder a valuable member of the squad, suitable for a rotation role in the top 15 or 16 players, and someone who should have been kept.
• Historical Criticism on Ability: Despite Neville’s recent denials a critique from 2018 showed that he specifically questioned whether McTominay was technically “good enough on the ball” to be a starting central midfielder for United.
• The Suggested Position Change: During his earlier assessment, Neville suggested McTominay might need to consider changing his position to secure a long-term future at Old Trafford. Owing to his large physical presence, Neville thought the Scottish international was potentially better suited for a permanent role as a centre-back.
• McTominay’s Current Status and Market Interest: McTominay’s consistent high-level performance in Italy validates his value, as he helps Napoli fight for a second consecutive league title. His success has already sparked interest for a Premier League return, with Everton recently credited with a transfer interest.
• Read the full piece here: Gary Neville’s Scott McTominay comment called out as pundit accused of ‘killing’ ex-Man Utd star