Manchester United can solve problem they failed to fix last summer with double signing

Few players have divided opinion at Manchester United in recent years as much as Scott McTominay did.

The Scotland international, now of Napoli, often left supporters split when voicing their opinions of him and the role he played at Old Trafford.

But after he had plundered a respectable tally of ten goals during the 2023/24 campaign, United were left with an important decision to make. He had just one year remaining on his contract campaign and it meant United had to decide whether to cash-in or attempt to tie him down to a new deal.

Much to the disappointment of former United manager Erik ten Hag, United decided to cash-in, selling him to Napoli on deadline day last August. United pocketed a fixed fee of £25.7million and from a financial viewpoint it made perfect sense.

He had just under a year remaining on his contract at the time of the deal going through and his stock was high after a fruitful 2023/24 campaign. Furthermore, the £25.7m United banked for him counted as 'pure profit' under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

"I'm very happy for him and it's also for us, but it's mixed, because I wouldn't prefer to lose him, because he is Man United in every vein," Ten Hag said of McTominay's departure. "He was so important for our team, for Manchester United.

"He was here for over 22 years. Unfortunately, it's the rules. We have to discuss the rules when you have to do sells and then, obviously, homegrown players, Academy players, they bring more value."

After scoring 13 goals and helping Napoli win a second Serie A title in three seasons in his debut season in Italy, United's decision to sell the Scotsman has naturally been called into question. Had he, for example, scored two goals in his maiden season in