Carragher Blames Neville for McTominay’s Manchester United Exit, Says Criticism “Killed” the Midfielder

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has pointed fingers at fellow pundit and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville for Scott McTominay’s departure from Old Trafford, claiming Neville’s repeated criticism “killed” the midfielder before his eventual move to Napoli.

McTominay, a product of Manchester United’s academy, was sold to the Serie A champions for £25.7 million in August 2024. The Scotland international has since flourished in Italy, playing a pivotal role in Antonio Conte’s side as they clinched the Serie A title. His outstanding performances also earned him the league’s Most Valuable Player award and a nomination for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, where Ousmane Dembélé emerged the winner.

In a new video on The Overlap YouTube channel, Neville reflected on McTominay’s rise, asking: “What has happened to Scott McTominay? Have we made a massive mistake?”

Carragher wasted no time firing back:
“You have killed another Man United player, that is what happened. Too much criticism, saying he’s not good enough.”

Neville defended himself, insisting:
“I didn’t say he was not good enough. Not me. I never thought they should have got rid of him.”

Opinion: McTominay’s Story Proves a Simple Truth—Sometimes the Problem Isn’t the Player

McTominay’s resurgence in Italy adds fuel to a familiar debate: do some Manchester United players truly underperform, or does the club’s environment—and the endless scrutiny around it—drag them down?

It’s becoming increasingly clear that McTominay was never short of ability. What he needed was belief, stability, and a system that valued his strengths. At Napoli, he has all three—alongside a manager like Conte who knows how to use powerful, hard-working midfielders.

Carragher’s jab at Neville may sound playful, but it echoes the frustration many players feel at Old Trafford: every touch is judged, every mistake magnified, and every talent misunderstood until they succeed elsewhere.

As McTominay shines on Italy’s biggest stage, Manchester United are left wondering whether they let go of a player who simply needed the right environment, not more criticism.

One thing is certain: his success is no fluke. And perhaps, for once, the spotlight should turn not to the player—but to the system that failed to unlock him.