“I have played with TWO greatest midfielders in football history but there’s ONE particular Man United’s midfielder who’s better than all combined…I’m planning to leave Man United because of only him, he’s too good and looking at how he play I know I don’t have future here anymore”: Bruno Fernandes reveals why he’s planning to leave Man United, names ONE player as the reason
Scott McTominay was forced to leave Man United due to the club’s financial situation, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at United for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains well-connected at the club, exclusively told Football Insider that the club would have breached profit and sustainability rules if they hadn’t cashed in.
Brown explained that United found themselves in a position they had never been in before, having to sell players before they could spend money.
It was said that the sale of McTominay allowed United to land a deal for Manuel Ugarte which would otherwise have been impossible financially.
The 27-year-old midfielder joined Napoli on the final day of the summer transfer window for a fee of £25.7million.
Meanwhile, Brown also revealed that Erik ten Hag had attempted to shift the midfielder in 2023 as he was offered to Premier League clubs including West Ham.
This comes shortly after United fans were left stunned by a highlights package of his performances since moving to the Serie A.
Man United avoid PSR punishment with Scott McTominay sale
McTominay came through the youth setup at Man United and went on to make 255 appearances for the club, winning the FA Cup and League Cup in that time.
Brown, who remains very well-connected at Old Trafford and within the game as a whole, questioned United’s reasons behind selling the midfielder given the lack of quality currently at Ten Hag’s disposal.
“They wanted him gone for a long time,” he told Football Insider.
“When I was at West Ham in 2023, they offered us McTominay, Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.
“But what they had to do, in the end, was sell players in order to bring other players in.
“They didn’t have the finances just to spend big on buying a host of new players, especially with PSR hanging over them.
“They knew they couldn’t sign Ugarte because they’d have breached the regulations.
“That’s why they let him go in the end – to free up space for Ugarte to come in.
“This is a situation Man United have never been in before, they’ve always had money to spend.
“But either way it seems Ten Hag didn’t want him any more, and I don’t understand that.
“He always waves the flag, he’ll have a go no matter the situation or the opposition and he usually makes a good job of it.
“I don’t know why United never seemed able to see that because compared to some of the midfielders they’ve got, they’re nowhere near as good.”
