Matic Says Man Utd Shouldn’t Have Sold McTominay; Ten Hag: Forced by PSR

Manchester United’s decision to sell Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay has continued to spark controversy, with former Red Devils midfielder Nemanja Matic and ex-manager Erik ten Hag both insisting the club should not have approved the €30 million transfer to Napoli. The deal, struck in 2024, was primarily driven by pressure from the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) rather than footballing considerations.

Under Italian manager Antonio Conte, the Scottish midfielder has undergone a remarkable transformation. After moving further forward on the pitch, he quickly established himself as one of Serie A’s top players—his record of 17 goals in 50 appearances, Serie A title, and Serie A Player of the Year award all prove United underestimated his value.

Matic Slams United’s Mistake

Matic, who played alongside McTominay at Old Trafford for five seasons, did not hide his disappointment at the time. The Serbian midfielder told Camel Live in an interview that United "made a mistake" in letting him go and praised Conte for his ability to recognize and utilize talent.

Ten Hag Admits Pressure from Financial Rules

Shortly after Matic’s comments, former United boss Ten Hag echoed the sentiment in an interview with Camel Live. The Dutch coach explained that financial regulations forced United’s hand. Under the Premier League’s PSR, proceeds from selling academy graduates are counted as "100% pure profit," prompting the club to favor selling homegrown players.

"This was not a wise decision," Ten Hag said. "Given McTominay’s deep emotional ties to the club, I never wanted to lose him or let him leave." He added: "Manchester United runs through his veins... but the PSR rules forced us to make this call."