Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay is finalising a £25 million switch to 2022/23 Serie A champions Napoli, 22 years after joining Manchester United’s academy at just five years old. The Lancaster-born number 39 made 178 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 19 goals, of which seven came last season as McTominay scored several crucial goals.
With his departure imminent and the arrival of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain all but confirmed, let’s take a look at what this means for Erik ten Hag’s midfield.
Club Academy Graduate Leaves in Man Utd Midfield Revamp
🚨🔵 Scott McTominay to Napoli, here we go! Deal in place for €30m package plus sell-on clause.
Manchester United have authorized Scott to travel for medical tests and contract signing.
Both Lukaku and McTominay are set for travel and medical as Napoli players. pic.twitter.com/6pjZdR8llC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2024
A Ball-Playing Midfield Unit
Whilst McTominay no doubt had his strengths, his technical limitations were all too evident in a campaign where Manchester United struggled greatly in the middle of the park. With the decline in form and fitness of experienced Brazilian Casemiro and youngster Kobbie Mainoo being asked to do far too much in terms of covering ground, the Red Devils conceded far too much territory and a record number of chances in the previous term.
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With the pending arrival of Uruguayan international Ugarte, the Red Devils are bringing in a young, dynamic and mobile player whose attributes will, in theory, allow United more control in midfield, relieving some of the burden from Casemiro and Mainoo, who will be able to play more of a part in supporting captain Bruno Fernandes further forward.
Mason Mount: Pressing Machine
With a win and a loss so far this season, the early signs are that the team are bringing last year’s inconsistency into the early stages of this term, although there could be an argument that Ten Hag’s side deserved more than a defeat against Brighton at the weekend. One of the big positives from the opening two games was Mason Mount’s contribution.
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With Fernandes operating as a false nine in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, Mount has contributed significantly from the number 10 spot, playing a vital role off the ball as a pressing trigger that has seen the Red Devils look significantly more adept at winning possession higher up the field.
With the arrival of Ugarte and Fernandes expected to return to his familiar number 10 role once Hojlund has recovered from his injury sustained in pre-season, is there an argument for Mount to drop back into midfield and operate as a box-to-box number 8 alongside Mainoo or Casemiro? Time will tell, but the change in the midfield personnel at Old Trafford certainly opens opportunities for the rest of the season.
