Erik ten Hag has accused Manchester United’s leadership of breaking promises made during crucial talks in Ibiza. He says the club’s decision to sell Scott McTominay left him “embarrassed and disappointed”.
The former Manchester United manager says the club promised him more support, loyalty and communication after talks about his future in summer 2024.
However, Ten Hag believes Manchester United failed to keep those promises when the club sold McTominay to Napoli despite his objections.
Loyalty promised but undelivered
“They promised me loyalty, they promised me backing, they promised communication, that we get aligned,” Ten Hag told The Athletic, as reported by Sky Sports.
“We spoke about the issues. But the promises, they didn’t keep.”
McTominay scored 10 goals during the 2023-24 season. Ten Hag viewed the Scotland international as an important part of his squad.
The manager also believed United needed more goals from midfield. He therefore wanted McTominay to stay at Old Trafford.
Napoli signed McTominay for €30.5 million, around £25.7m at the time. Manchester United used the transfer to raise funds for further squad changes, including the signing of Manuel Ugarte.
Ten Hag says he made his position clear during the Ibiza talks.
McTominay was a no-sell
“I said, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’. We would go aligned in the transfer window,” he explained.
“I make an argument, a reason: we don’t have scoring abilities. Scott brings scoring abilities and great mentality. He has United in all his veins.”
The Dutchman was also surprised by the timing of his eventual dismissal in October 2024, having led United to the FA Cup the previous season and remained involved in multiple competitions early in the new campaign.
He argued that the club should have allowed his project more time to develop, despite disappointing defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham.
Patience was expected
Ten Hag won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford but was sacked after a poor start to the 2024-25 season.
Now working as FC Twente’s technical director, he says the breakdown in communication and alignment with Man United’s leadership contributed to his disappointment over how his tenure ended.
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