Neville red-faced after accusing Ten Hag of 'managing player out of Man Utd'

02 February 2024 , 12:33

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Gary Neville cast doubt over Scott McTominay's Man Utd future back in August (Image: Catherine Ivill)

Gary Neville's early season assessment of Scott McTominay's Manchester United prospects have not aged well six months down the line.

Back in August, after the Scotland international was an unused substitute for the 2-0 defeat away at Tottenham, United legend Neville clearly feared for McTominay's future at Old Trafford. In fairness, he wasn't the only one left confused by Ten Hag's decision to leave the midfielder on the bench when it seemed clear that someone of his profile was required.

However, the Dutchman clearly disagreed, prompting Neville to make the bold claim that the United boss wants rid of McTominay. He told Sky Sports: "What's clear is that Manchester United's midfield needs bolstering.

"Ten Hag wants a number six who can play alongside Casemiro and, at the moment, the club can't get players out to be able to fund that. If they look at the first two weeks, they have to fund it or there will be a big problem. What is clear is that Ten Hag doesn't want to revert back to Scott McTominay.

"With Fernandes on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn't look capable of functioning as one. Does he go back to McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It's almost as if he is managing him out of the club."

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Fast forward to February and McTominay is as integral to the United cause as he has ever been. The 27-year-old is the club's leading goalscorer in the league so far with six strikes to his name, including a vital header late on during the 4-3 win over Wolves on Thursday.

McTominay's clearly loving life under Ten Hag's guidance, recently singing his praises on the High Performance Podcast. The United ace explained: "He's an amazing manager with great tactical dimensions to his game. Some of the things he says and how he conducts his meetings are brilliant and I just want to be a part of that."

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The feeling is mutual judging by the manager's recent remarks. After handing the Scotsman the armband at Anfield, the United boss said: "I think he is one of the examples of what it means to play for Manchester United, to play with the badge on his heart.

"He is an example, and the others cantake thatand build on him. I'm sure he will be a communicator; I'm sure he will be an example of passion and desire, and you need that in these games."

Josh O'Brien