Scott McTominay Calls United Exit Myth Too Easy

• Scott McTominay says it is lazy to pin post United form on leaving Old Trafford
• He argues confidence and minutes matter more than any supposed United curse
• McTominay says United backed him with coaching, nutrition, and support

Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has pushed back against the familiar story that players suddenly improve the moment they leave Old Trafford, calling it an easy narrative and a misleading one.

McTominay is one of several names regularly used in that argument. After leaving United, he has impressed at Napoli, helping them win a league title last year and landing Serie A Most Valuable Player honours.

For McTominay, the reason is simpler than the mythology. He says it comes down to confidence, minutes, and how players handle the scrutiny that comes with wearing a United shirt.

“It’s just too easy of an excuse to say they left Man United and now they’re doing well,” McTominay told CBS Sports.

“Last year, I did well – I scored 10 goals and we won a trophy. With Marcus, there were obviously different issues that might have transpired which we won’t go into, but Marcus is a top player and he’s always been a top player. He’s one of the club’s legends, scored so many goals for Man United and done so many great things.

“Because the spotlight is directly on you, it makes it seem a lot worse in my opinion. Obviously when players go away and they’re playing more games, they’re going to have an increase in confidence, they’re going to feel better about themselves than when you’re playing less minutes at Man United.

“But when you are at Man United you have to earn those minutes, like Bruno Fernandes who’s done incredible.”

McTominay’s own numbers underline how sharply a career can change with a new environment and a steady run of games. He has scored 14 league goals in 48 games for Napoli, compared to 19 in 178 at United. Still, he rejects the idea that United failed to provide what a player needs to develop.

“I just think it’s too easy to blame Man United as a club because when I was there, they did everything for me.

“They helped me with nutrition, they helped me with training, they helped me tactically whoever the manager was there. Everything is put there to help you succeed. It’s not like they don’t do certain things that other clubs do.

“The myth of they go away and they’re better players, it comes down to confidence. If you go away and you play every single game and score, you score again, and people start speaking, you feel good about yourself.”