Pundit Garry Pallister says the Scot still has “a place in his heart” for the club and would fancy a return
Could Scott McTominay still return to Manchester United? Would he fit in and would fans generally love to have him back?
Pundit and former Manchester United and England defender Gary Pallister believes the Scot still has a strong emotional connection to the club despite his successful move to Napoli.
McTominay left Old Trafford in 2024 in a £26m deal and has since impressed in Italy, scoring 12 league goals as Napoli secured the Serie A title in 2025. However, Pallister suggested the midfielder may still be open to a return to his boyhood club.
“Listen, I think Scott McTominay has got a great affinity with Manchester United and the fans,” said Pallister. “He grew up there, and I’m sure there’s a place in his heart that would feel like he’d love to come back to Manchester United, but whether that’s feasible or not, I don’t know. He’s a player that I probably wouldn’t have let go.”
In the absence of any data collected, the general feeling would suggest that supporters were happy for the midfielder to depart when he did, especially for a reasonable fee, but Pallister says he was a valuable squad player who could have kept up his consistently delivery of effort and commitment.
“I always thought he was going to be a great part of the squad,” said Pallister. “And as I say, I wouldn’t have been letting Scott McTominay go because I think in every game he plays and pulls on that shirt, he wants to do his very, very best. I think a few people were shocked when he did leave.”
But whether the Scotland international will return to the squad in its current setup is a different case. Could he fit in? Pallister hinted that McTominay could not have a role in United similar to what he has at Napoli. In attacking midfield United need a profile as close as possible to current captain Bruno Fernandes, but there is a world of difference between the Portuguese’s playing style and McTominay’s.
Pallister said: “You’re talking about different styles of football, aren’t you? [McTominay] always had a goal threat in him. He’s done it for Scotland, he’s done it for Napoli. It would be interesting, wouldn’t it, to see if somebody brought him into that position and said, ‘Right, you are going to be this attacking midfielder like Bruno.’
“Listen, he’s not a Bruno Fernandes. He doesn’t see the passes that Bruno does, but he gives you a goal threat. But I don’t think, certainly at Manchester United, they’d play him in that position.”
