Man United sent transfer warning as Scott McTominay Ballon d'Or ranking speaks volumes
Scott McTominay has had a remarkable season with Napoli and his Ballon d'Or ranking shows just how much Manchester United missed out on by selling the midfielder
Manchester United demonstrated this summer that there are times when a sale is necessary, regardless of whether the deal is ideal for the club or not. Alejandro Garnacho had to be sold in the last transfer window as his relationship with the club was causing more harm than good.
Marcus Rashford was a similar case, albeit to a lesser extent as it seemed he may not have completely severed all ties, but based on the evidence, it was still right to let him go. In retrospect, the Reds made a terrible mistake in letting Scott McTominay leave the football club.
Like Garnacho and Rashford, United profited from the deal, making the books look healthier once he departed for Napoli. However, unlike his former teammates, McTominay was not a problem at United.
His previous manager Erik ten Hag even expressed regret at letting the Scottish international go. Ten Hag hastily decided that he needed to bolster defensive midfield but instead of trying to offload Casemiro, who remains one of the highest paid players at the club, he sold an asset who is now taking the football world by storm.
Remarkably, in his first season in Serie A, McTominay managed to flourish more than anyone anticipated. His tally of 12 goals and six assists marked the best season of his professional career, proving instrumental in Antonio Conte's side clinching the Serie A title.
However, his redemption arc was only fully realised on Monday night when he ranked 18th in the Ballon d'Or standings, ahead of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Declan Rice and Florian Wirtz. And let's not forget, there wasn't a single United player to be found anywhere near the Top 30.
At the time, the decision to sell McTominay seemed like a short-term move that hadn't been thoroughly thought through. While no one could have predicted his sensational season in Italy, the 28-year-old's story should serve as a warning for United's future decisions.
History already seems set to repeat itself under Ruben Amorim, with Kobbie Mainoo's future looking increasingly uncertain. He requested a loan move in the summer, which was rejected, and so far, there's little indication that United will be able to satisfy his concerns before the January transfer window opens.
If Mainoo were to 'do a McTominay', he would be better positioned to succeed given his younger age and less inconsistent form at Old Trafford. Failing to address Mainoo's concerns though could once again lead United to make a short-term decision that ultimately hampers the club's long-term progression.
Mainoo is keen to remain with United, which is why he only requested a loan move. However, the rigid adherence to captain Bruno Fernandes could push him towards a permanent exit.
Fernandes' contribution to the team is undeniable, but there's a real chance he could depart next summer. If Mainoo has already been forced out by then, United could find themselves in a tricky situation where they have to replace both men.
Amorim needs to start grooming Mainoo now to be Fernandes' successor. It's clear that he has the talent for it, and United is a club known for giving young players a chance.
If United are to learn anything from McTominay's success, it should be that sometimes it's better to nurture the next generation from within rather than selling them off for quick cash. If Mainoo does leave, it would demonstrate that the Reds haven't learned their lesson, at all.
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