Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has named two players the club should ‘never’ have sold.
Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, United have spent heavily on players who failed to deliver, including Antony, Jadon Sancho and Romelu Lukaku, while allowing academy graduate Scott McTominay to leave.
McTominay helped Napoli win the Serie A title last season and was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Schmeichel said he still cannot believe United sold him for just £25m.
The Red Devils also recently allowed Rasmus Hojlund to join Napoli, a move that Schmeichel described as painful. Hojlund, 22, joined on loan with an option to make the transfer permanent and scored just 14 minutes into his debut. Schmeichel said he “honestly believes” the striker could have been a key player for United.
“I’d say Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund are the two players who should never have left,” the former goalkeeper told Sky Bet.
“The one that really pains me is Hojlund. I honestly believe he could have been a 25-goal-a-season-striker for Manchester United.
“The problem wasn’t him – it was the way the team played. The system didn’t suit him.
“The ball into the number nine never came, even though Rasmus was making really good runs. The fans saw it.
“As for McTominay, I honestly can’t say anything other than why. Why was he allowed to leave?”
Schmeichel, however, backed Manchester United’s decision to offload Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana.