‘Wise decision’ – Alan Shearer praises Scott McTominay for leaving Manchester United

Alan Shearer has praised Scott McTominay for leaving Manchester United and says cutting ties with his boyhood club last summer was a ‘wise decision’.

McTominay joined United’s academy at the age of five and went on to make 255 appearances for the Premier League giants.

The Scotland international played 37 games or more in five successive campaigns and helped Manchester United win the FA Cup last season, 12 months after lifting the EFL Cup.

McTominay attracted interest from several clubs over the summer as United essentially put him up for sale and was linked with Premier League rivals West Ham and Fulham before he ended his long stay at Old Trafford by joining Napoli in a deal worth £25m.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed an encouraging start to his career in Naples, scoring two goals in his first five appearances to help Antonio Conte’s side climb to the top of Serie A.

McTominay initially appeared reluctant to leave Manchester United but ex-England striker Shearer believes it was ‘clearly the right decision’, especially as the Red Devils continue to struggle.

While McTominay currents sits at the top of the Italian top-flight, his former club are just 14th in the Premier League with eight points from seven games.

‘It was a wise decision for Scott McTominay to move countries and experience something different, not only on a football pitch but in life as well,’ Shearer told Betfair.

‘I wonder what McTominay thinks, looking back at what Man United are doing this season – or rather what they are not doing in terms of performances on the pitch.

‘Scott will look at himself and think he’s made the right decision because it looks as if the move to Napoli is going well for him.

‘He’s already scored a couple of goals, he’s developing a good relationship with Romelu Lukaku, and it looks like he’s enjoying it so from his point of view, he’s clearly made the right decision to leave Manchester United.’

United’s dismal start to the season has sparked fresh scrutiny over the future of manager Erik ten Hag, but ex-boss David Moyes has defended the Dutchman and claims he is ‘doing a brilliant job’.

‘I’ve been there and I know that it is an unbelievable club with a lot of pressure. Everybody wants to talk about it,’ Moyes told BBC Sport.

‘For me, it’s the biggest club in the world, which is talked about whatever city you go into. So, it comes with the territory and Manchester United want to win.

‘Supporters want to win. And every manager who goes into the job wants to win as well. It’s really difficult, but when you go into a job like that, it’s always going to be like that.

‘Manchester United is a brilliant, brilliant club supported all over the world. Because of that, there’s always the chance that if you don’t do well, you’re going to come in for some criticism.

‘I can’t speak for Erik ten Hag. I think he has showed brilliant resilience in the situation he is in. He should be credited for how well he has conducted himself.

‘I don’t see him ducking any questions or any media interviews, so I think you have to give him great credit for that.

‘But it’s a job which is going to attract immense pressure and have an immense amount of people talking. I think he is doing a brilliant job.’

Manchester United face Brentford on Saturday as they return to Premier League action following the international break, while McTominay’s Napoli take on Empoli.

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