Iconic World Cup winner Marco Materazzi has accused Manchester United\u2019s board of constructing \u2018one in every of the largest transfer mistakes ever\u2019.<\/p>\n
United were often hailed for his or her business within the transfer market during Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s long and successful reign nevertheless it has been a distinct story since he retired in 2013.<\/p>\n
A lot of United\u2019s biggest signings since then have underwhelmed at Old Trafford, which several sold players have thrived elsewhere.<\/p>\n
One player who has actually excelled since his Manchester United departure is academy graduate Scott McTominay, who was sold to Napoli in 2024.<\/p>\n
McTominay had made 255 appearances for the Red Devils and hoped so as to add to that figure when United agreed a \u00a326m cope with Serie A giants Napoli.<\/p>\n
The Scotland international enjoyed an incredible first season in Naples, helping Antonio Conte\u2019s side win the league and being named the Most Priceless Player within the division.<\/p>\n
McTominay was even nominated for the Ballon d\u2019Or award after scoring 13 goals in all competitions from midfield \u2013 a number he is about to surpass this term.<\/p>\n Ex-Italy defender Materazzi says he believed from early on in McTominay\u2019s profession that he would turn out to be \u2018probably the greatest players on the planet\u2019 and has slammed Manchester United\u2019s decision to sell him for lower than \u00a330m.<\/p>\n \u2018I really like Scott McTominay,\u2019 Materazzi, who helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup, told Hajper<\/a>. \u2018I really like him a lot.<\/p>\n \u2018When he broke through at Manchester United as a teen I laughed because I said to my son that even at 18 or 19 this can be a player who will go on to be probably the greatest players on the planet, and now he’s probably the greatest.<\/p>\n \u2018He’s an incredible box-to-box player. I don\u2019t understand how United sold him for nothing because his value, for me, is \u00a360-70m or more and so they sold him for just \u00a326m.<\/p>\n \u2018I don\u2019t know. Is that one in every of the largest transfer mistakes we\u2019ve ever seen? I feel so, absolutely.<\/p>\n \u2018Can Scott McTominay win the Ballon d\u2019Or some day? It\u2019s a pleasant idea because I really like him as a player.<\/p>\n \u2018But I don\u2019t think he might be champion within the World Cup with Scotland and it\u2019s demanding while you don\u2019t win the largest trophies.\u2019<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Addressing speculation over his future at Napoli earlier within the yr, McTominay said: \u2018I’m extremely glad here.<\/p>\n \u2018So far as I’m concerned, I’m a\u00a0Napoli\u00a0player; it’s all I take into consideration. The long run could be very essential, and I could see myself in Napoli for a very long time.<\/p>\n \u2018I really like this place. Difficulties have been minimal, my family is glad and I\u2019m glad.\u2019<\/p>\n A second successive Serie A title looks set to evade McTominay and Napoli, who’re seven points behind leaders Inter Milan with seven games remaining.<\/p>\n Napoli beat AC Milan 1-0 of their first game back following the international break and return to motion on Sunday against Parma.<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on ![\"AC](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2265560194_affed3.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594\")
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