Manchester United chiefs will be kicking themselves for selling one star who has gone on to achieve greatness.
Since the takeover, Ineos have improved Manchester United’s recruitment, with the Red Devils enjoying a strong summer transfer window so far despite having missed out on Champions League football.
But one area where the club is still struggling is selling players. Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona remains the only significant outgoing this summer.
Ineos are still trying to offload Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia this summer.
Last summer, United also struggled to sell, although Ineos did manage to raise some money through the sale of Scott McTominay.
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty ImagesScott McTominay nominated for Ballon d’Or after leaving Man Utd
Last summer, McTominay was sold to Napoli for £25m, and as a Carrington graduate it gave United a major PSR boost.
But looking back on the deal, United and Ineos will feel as though they could (and should) have demanded much, much more for the Scotland international.
McTominay quickly became a Napoli ‘idol’ after joining the Italian club and immediately hitting the ground running.
The 28-year-old led Napoli to the Serie A title and McTominay was named Serie A’s MVP for his efforts in midfield.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Scott McTominay has been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, I understand.
28 years old. 48 games. 16 goals.
Serie A champion with Napoli.⁰
His first ever nomination. From squad player to world elite.
Congrats, Scott! pic.twitter.com/CHHxaDRAo2
— Sam C (@SamC_reports) August 6, 2025
View Tweet
According to journalist Sam C, McTominay has now been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards following his incredible season in Naples.
Scott McTominay is exactly who Ruben Amorim needs
Ironically, just 12 months after selling McTominay, United find themselves in the market for a new central midfielder.
Ruben Amorim wants an “athletic” midfielder to be signed this summer, and annoyingly, McTominay was perhaps the most athletic midfielder to come from Carrington in years.
READ MORE: Scott McTominay wants the ‘absolute best’ for Man Utd one year after exit, ‘I’ll be with them…’
At Napoli, McTominay shattered running records, showing the exact kind of intensity and physicality that Amorim has been begging for.
Selling an academy product was necessary last summer to balance United’s PSR standings, but looking back, Ineos will have some regret that they didn’t look to sell the likes of Alejandro Garnacho or Rashford instead.