McTominay takes swipe at Man Utd saying 'he was played out of position'

Scott McTominay has lifted the lid on his time at Manchester United, admitting he felt "misprofiled" during his early years at the club and expressing frustration over the lack of silverware despite his long service.

The Scotland international, now thriving at Napoli, reflected candidly on his Old Trafford journey in a revealing interview with The Athletic, shedding light on a career that saw him make 255 appearances for United before his £25 million move last summer.

McTominay, who broke into the United first team under Jose Mourinho in 2017, suggested that his positional deployment often didn’t align with his natural strengths.

"When I got into the first team, I was quite misprofiled in where I was playing," he said. "It wasn’t the fault of any coaches. My strengths have always been getting into the box, scoring goals, being a problem in there. But I was being used as a No 6, or as a centre-back, and that has never really been my game."

The 28-year-old acknowledged the challenges of breaking through at a club of United’s stature, noting that as a 20-year-old academy graduate, he couldn’t demand a more attacking role ahead of stars like Paul Pogba.

"You have to know your place and do what you’re asked to do," he explained. It wasn’t until later seasons, particularly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, that he began to showcase his goal-scoring instincts, with his final year at United—where he notched 10 goals—being his most prolific.

Since swapping Manchester for Naples, McTominay has flourished under Antonio Conte, registering seven goals and four assists in 28 games for a Napoli side chasing the Serie A title. His performances have fueled debate about United’s decision to sell, with pundits and former players labeling it a misstep.

Yet McTominay harbors no bitterness, instead pointing to an "instant attraction" to Napoli amid uncertainty at United. "Things were difficult in Manchester. I didn’t know what was happening exactly," he admitted. "You instantly know Napoli—the passion of the fans, the quality of the league."

Despite his personal success, McTominay’s reflections on United carry a tinge of regret over the club’s trophy haul during his tenure. While he lifted the FA Cup and League Cup, the midfielder craved more. "I was fortunate to play 250 games, to win the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, but I wanted to win more," he said.

"You always want to win. It’s Manchester United—fans won’t tolerate anyone who isn’t ready." His comments underscore a broader frustration with United’s inability to consistently compete for major honors in recent years, a sentiment echoed by supporters as the club sits mid-table under Ruben Amorim.

McTominay also addressed whether being an academy product pigeonholed him as an "improving talent" rather than a senior star. "I’d not thought of it like that, but that’s potentially true," he mused, hinting at how United’s culture may have delayed recognition of his full potential.

Now, as he carves out a starring role in Italy, comparisons to Jude Bellingham and praise from the likes of Rio Ferdinand ("playing like primetime Jude") highlight just how much United might miss him.

For United, the sale of McTominay—logged as pure profit under Profitability and Sustainability Rules—helped fund the arrival of Manuel Ugarte.

Yet with Ugarte struggling to adapt and United’s midfield lacking dynamism, questions linger over whether the club let go of a player who could have been a long-term asset. McTominay, meanwhile, is focused on adding to his trophy cabinet with Napoli, proving his point one goal at a time.