Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has called on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim to bring back Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, arguing the Scottish star is the missing piece in United’s struggling squad. Speaking on his podcast The Rest Is Football, Lineker praised McTominay’s combative style and goal-scoring prowess, stating, “Scott McTominay, scored two more goals, one of them a beauty, for Napoli. He’s exactly the player that would work in an Amorim system. He’s what they need.”
McTominay, a former Manchester United academy graduate, was sold to Napoli for £25 million ($34m) in the summer of 2024, a move driven by the club’s need to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The transfer yielded pure profit, but Lineker criticized the PSR’s impact on homegrown players, calling it “nonsensical.” Under Amorim, United’s midfield has struggled, with only Bruno Fernandes delivering consistent performances in the 2024-25 Premier League season. Meanwhile, McTominay has thrived in Serie A, scoring crucial goals, including a brace against Roma, and helping Napoli mount a title challenge alongside Inter Milan.
The 27-year-old’s dynamic displays have highlighted United’s midfield woes, with fans expressing regret over his departure. One user posted, “McTominay’s killing it at Napoli, and we’re stuck with Casemiro’s legs gone. Bad call.” Lineker suggested Amorim’s high-pressing, structured system would suit McTominay’s energy and versatility, raising questions about United’s transfer strategy under former manager Erik ten Hag.
