Fergie's 'two words' about McTominay as he spoke of the ex-Man Utd players' quality

Former Manchester United star Scott McTominay was picked out by Sir Alex Ferguson who saw him as a "big player" for the Reds.

McTominay's career at Old Trafford did not work out as planned and now critics would say it has been a costly mistake to have let him leave - especially as they now need a player with his profile.

McTominay's overhead kick showed his ability to come up with goals at key moments and he also played an important role in Napoli winning the title in Italy. And this has been recognised with his nomination for the Ballon d'Or.

He joined United at just five years old and was highly regarded by Sir Alex, who predicted that the young Scot would achieve great things at Old Trafford.

"Scott McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United's big players," Ferguson told the Scottish FA in 2021. "When you watch Man United pick their team for a big game, McTominay's name is in it.

"He's a good character, a great trainer. I know a little bit about the boy and I think that's the background."

Ferguson added: "McTominay is of a similar type to Darren [Fletcher] - long, lanky, good winner of the ball and a good turn of pace going forward, a great attitude to the game. All these attitudes that Darren Fletcher had, he's got them.

"Even if you go back to my time with Darren, I very seldom left him out of big games. McTominay is going forward on those guidelines that Darren pursued for a long time at United."

And the midfielder responded at the time: "My dad was telling me. It's obviously such a huge honour to be spoken about by someone like Sir Alex, never mind the nice things he was saying about us and Scotland.

"For me, it's a chance to keep pushing and a chance to not stop pushing forwards, hopefully making everyone proud of me."

Following Sir Alex's hospitalisation in November 2018 after falling ill, McTominay also expressed his admiration for the legendary former United chief.

After Scotland's triumph over Israel secured their Euro 2020 spot, he said: "That was one of Scotland's most important victories and it's dedicated to Sir Alex. Whenever I see him at the United games, I speak to him. He's always up for a chat with me."

McTominay left United in August 2024 for £25.7million. The United boss at the time, Erik ten Hag, indicated he would have liked to keep the Scottish midfielder at the club.

"It is a little bit mixed," Ten Hag admitted when questioned about McTominay's departure. "I am very happy for him, but it is mixed because I wouldn't prefer to lose him. He is Manchester United in everything. He was so important for Manchester United."