What Ralf Rangnick Said About Scott McTominay While Man Utd Interim Manager in 2022

 Scott McTominay has silenced any doubters he may have had during his time at Manchester United by moving to Napoli and instantly winning Serie A in his first campaign. The Scotland international played a key role in Antonio Conte's men scooping the Scudetto ahead of Champions League finalists Inter Milan.

The box-to-box midfielder has elevated his levels since departing England in 2024, providing four assists and 12 goals in the league. The icing on the cake came with an incredible acrobatic effort in the final match of the Italian top-flight campaign against Cagliari, with the Naples-based side in need of a win to secure the title.

During his time at Old Trafford, McTominay was viewed largely as a workhorse who chipped in with the occasional important goal when the Red Devils needed it. However, there were a lot of doubters when it came to the 28-year-old's credentials to be a regular starter for the English giants.

Ralf Rangnick Backed Scott McTominay For Man Utd Success

Scottish midfielder back as a future Old Trafford captain

During his short stint as Manchester United's interim manager, Ralf Rangnick wasn't shy about giving his opinion on the players available to him and what he felt the club should be looking to do long-term. One player the German boss picked out for praise was McTominay.

Speaking after the midfielder scored a late FA Cup winner against Aston Villa in January 2022, Rangnick spoke glowingly about McTominay to BBC Sport: "He is an academy boy, his energy is amazing." The short-term boss then went on to claim he could envisage the player becoming Man United's captain in the future, adding:

"He now also starts scoring goals and also with some leadership skills. I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of years he would be the captain of this team."

Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag were all just as complimentary of the Lancaster-born ace when in charge at Old Trafford. While he was a player who impressed all of his managers at the club, he never quite broke through to be the main man, as Rangnick thought he had the potential to do.

What Other Man United Managers Said About McTominay

Mourinho, Solskjaer and Ten Hag all loved working with the new Serie A champion

Mourinho has always been a big advocate for McTominay ever since handing him his full Man United debut in 2017. The Portuguese boss was always positive in his assessment of his ex-player, even after leaving Old Trafford. Defending his use of young players when Tottenham Hotspur boss in 2019, the former Chelsea manager pointed to McTominay and Raphael Varane as examples of his success rate (per Manchester Evening News):

"Yes, it's very important [to bring through youth], Scott McTominay is only the best player at Manchester United. Raphael Varane is one of the best players in the world, yes, it's fair criticism."

Solskjaer, who is now doing well as Besiktas manager, was critical of United's decision to let the Scotland hero leave. In May 2025, the Norwegian said: "How you can sell Scott is beyond me. Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100 per cent."

Finally, Ten Hag was disappointed to see McTominay leave the English giants, as he made clear in 2024. The Dutchman stated after his departure for Napoli (per talkSPORT): "I am very happy for him, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him. He is Manchester United in everything, he was so important for Manchester United."