“The decision-making and the footballing intelligence from the midfield – particularly Fred, I’ve been on him for a long time – Fred and Scott McTominay, not good enough. They won’t get Man United back competing at the top. We see it week in, week out. Not up to it”. That‘s what Manchester United legend Roy Keane told for Sky Sports in August 2022, a day after his former team lost at home to Brighton 2-1. Two years later, the United‘s academy product since the age of five left his boyhood club and joined Napoli. McTominay has thrived since leaving United, just like most of other players do. And he probably wouldn‘t addmit it now, but Keane would be so glad to welcome him back, as he cannot be happy with United‘s midfield in 2025, not to mention the attack. So far, Manchester‘s strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have combined for five goals, less than McTominay in Napoli alone (six goals, four assists)!With United, ‘biggest flop ever’ – with Betis ‘two-time Man of the Match’What‘s worse for United executives, he is not the only one. Jandon Sancho excelled last season in a loan to Dortmund and played in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Elanga has also revived his career since moving to Forest. The Swedish star, who left United for 15 million pounds in June 2023, has eight goals and 17 assists for the club and is fighting for a place which lead‘s to UEFA‘s biggest competition. Even the biggest flop in recent history Antony has already been man of the match twice for Betis since coming on a loan.Did Man United give up on McTominay too soon?A recent Sancho‘s comment to Rashford‘s transfer to Villa (he wrote ‘Freedom‘) was not well percieved by United fans. Former defender Rio Ferdinand offered explanation for this situation where almost every footballer is better when he leaves Old Trafford.“You look at Antony, he’s got a man-of-the-match performance and a goal and assist in two games. McTominay is playing like primetime Jude Bellingham at the moment. You’ve got Elanga, who’s a flying winger. You’ve got all these players that are leaving the club that are looking like new, dynamic footballers because the shackles are off, and the cloud and the pressure of Old Trafford, the badge, all that that brings, is allowing them to go “you know what, wow, what a difference that is“. You’re probably going to see the same from Rashford. It’s about unlocking what has unlocked Old Trafford for these players to perform“ said Ferdinand in his own podcast.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – PLAYOFFSTuesday Brest – PSG 0-3 (0-2)/Vitinha 21(p), Dembele 45,66/Juventus – PSV 2-1 (1-0)/McKennie 34, Mbangula 82 – Perisic 56/Man.City – Real Madrid 2-2 (1-0)/Haaland 19, 80 – Mbappe 60, Diaz 86/Sporting – Dortmund 0-3 (0-0)/Guirassy 60, Gross 68, Adeyemi 82/Wednesday20.45: (3.60) Club Brugge (3.40) Atalanta (2.10)23.00: (7.75) Celtic (4.80) Bayern (1.40)23.00: (2.95) Feyenoord (3.45) Milan (2.35)23.00: (2.35) Monaco (3.45) Benfica (2.95)***odds are subject to change***
