“Manchester United won’t return to the Champions League if that man keeps starting every week.”
Those are the strong words reportedly uttered by Sir Alex Ferguson in private discussions a statement that has now sent ripples through Old Trafford and beyond.
Sources close to Manchester United’s inner circle claim the legendary former manager has identified one player he believes is holding the team back a player whose presence on the pitch slows the tempo, disrupts cohesion, and costs crucial points.
Ferguson, who built the foundations of United’s modern success, is said to have privately warned that if Ruben Amorim continues to rely on this player, the club’s Champions League hopes could collapse well before Christmas.
The issue, according to those familiar with Ferguson’s thoughts, isn’t merely tactical. It’s about standards the same standards that once made United the most feared club in world football. And the player at the heart of this storm? Scott McTominay.
Reports suggest Ferguson told senior figures at the club that while McTominay has his uses, he should not be a regular starter.
The veteran manager believes the Scottish midfielder is better suited to a rotational role, brought in for certain matches rather than being trusted as a key figure in the starting lineup.
For a club aiming to challenge for top-four finishes and Champions League football, Ferguson reportedly argued that United need a midfield orchestrator not just a runner who thrives on energy but lacks control in possession.
It’s a harsh assessment, yet one that resonates with a section of the fanbase that has long questioned McTominay’s consistency.
Under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United have been working to implement a more fluid, possession-based system built on structure, tempo, and intelligent ball circulation.
However, insiders claim that when McTominay starts, the entire rhythm of play tends to break down. The midfield loses shape, transitions become rushed, and the team ends up reacting rather than dictating.
While McTominay’s knack for scoring important goals can’t be denied, Ferguson’s stance is that such moments don’t compensate for an inability to control matches from midfield.
“If McTominay keeps starting every week,” Ferguson is reported to have warned, “we’ll be battling for sixth, not fourth.”
Coming from the man who set the benchmark for excellence at Old Trafford, those words carry enormous weight. His opinion is rarely ignored — by fans, players, or the board.
Now, the pressure shifts to Ruben Amorim. He faces a defining decision: should he bench McTominay and rebuild his midfield around Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and other technical players, or continue to back the Scot and risk further inconsistency?
With rivals like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham all improving, United’s margin for error is thin. Every point matters in the race for Europe, and any weakness in midfield could prove costly.
For many supporters, Ferguson’s comments have ended the debate. When the club’s greatest-ever manager speaks, people listen. His message isn’t personal it’s about restoring Manchester United’s identity and competitive edge.
If the Red Devils truly want to return to the Champions League, sentiment must give way to realism. And in Ferguson’s eyes, that means making one difficult but necessary change in midfield before the dream slips away again.
