Manchester United board slammed over ‘one of the biggest transfer mistakes ever’
Iconic World Cup winner Marco Materazzi has accused Manchester United’s board of making ‘one of the biggest transfer mistakes ever’.
United were often hailed for their business in the transfer market during Sir Alex Ferguson’s long and successful reign but it has been a different story since he retired in 2013.
A number of United’s biggest signings since then have underwhelmed at Old Trafford, which several sold players have thrived elsewhere.
One player who has certainly excelled since his Manchester United departure is academy graduate Scott McTominay, who was sold to Napoli in 2024.
McTominay had made 255 appearances for the Red Devils and was hoping to add to that figure when United agreed a £26m deal with Serie A giants Napoli.
The Scotland international enjoyed an incredible first season in Naples, helping Antonio Conte’s side win the league and being named the Most Valuable Player in the division.
McTominay was even nominated for the Ballon d’Or award after scoring 13 goals in all competitions from midfield – a number he is set to surpass this term.
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Ex-Italy defender Materazzi says he believed from early on in McTominay’s career that he would become ‘one of the best players in the world’ and has slammed Manchester United’s decision to sell him for less than £30m.
‘I love Scott McTominay,’ Materazzi, who helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup, told Hajper. ‘I love him so much.
‘When he broke through at Manchester United as a youngster I laughed because I said to my son that even at 18 or 19 this is a player who will go on to be one of the best players in the world, and now he is one of the best.
‘He is an incredible box-to-box player. I don’t understand how United sold him for nothing because his value, for me, is £60-70m or more and they sold him for just £26m.
‘I don’t know. Is that one of the biggest transfer mistakes we’ve ever seen? I think so, absolutely.
‘Can Scott McTominay win the Ballon d’Or some day? It’s a nice idea because I love him as a player.
‘But I don’t think he will be champion in the World Cup with Scotland and it’s not easy when you don’t win the biggest trophies.’
Manchester United have been linked with a move for McTominay ahead of the summer transfer window, such has been his rise since leaving Old Trafford.
Addressing speculation over his future at Napoli earlier in the year, McTominay said: ‘I am extremely happy here.
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‘As far as I am concerned, I am a Napoli player; it is all I think about. The future is very important, and I could see myself in Napoli for a long time.
‘I love this place. Difficulties have been minimal, my family is happy and I’m happy.’
A second successive Serie A title looks set to evade McTominay and Napoli, who are seven points behind leaders Inter Milan with seven games remaining.
Napoli beat AC Milan 1-0 in their first game back following the international break and return to action on Sunday against Parma.
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/04/08/manchester-united-board-slammed-one-biggest-transfer-mistakes-ever-27897820/