Erik ten Hag said the sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli was the catalyst for his departure from Manchester United. Football Italia reported that Ten Hag and Manchester United parted ways on October 28, 2024.
Ten Hag's account of the exit
Football Italia reported that Ten Hag said a broken promise led to his Manchester United departure when McTominay was sold. Ten Hag said: "I wouldn’t go on with only one year left. So I said, ‘I need an extra year and we have to do it together’. They promised me loyalty, they promised me backing, they promised communication, that we get aligned. We spoke about the issues. But the promises, they didn’t keep."
Agreement in Ibiza
Football Italia reported that Ten Hag had told the club in Ibiza, "No selling Scott McTominay". Ten Hag said: "That’s why I got disappointed. In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’. We would go aligned in the transfer window. I make an argument, a reason: we don’t have scoring abilities. Scott brings scoring abilities and great mentality. He has United in all his veins."
Sale and McTominay's season
Football Italia reported that McTominay was sold to Napoli for €30.5m, approximately £25.7m. Ten Hag said: "So when they bring up the subject, ‘No’. And in the end they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed."
Football Italia reported that McTominay went on to become the Serie A Player of the Year after securing the Scudetto at Napoli. Football Italia also reported that he was Napoli's top scorer with 12 goals and six assists in 34 appearances.