Micah Richards praises £25m star after Man United exit – “Put some respect on his name”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has put rivalries aside to praise now ex-Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

McTominay, 27, rose through the ranks at Manchester United the club he first joined aged at the age of five. Impressing at youth level, the Scottish international would go on to make 255 senior appearances for the Red Devils.

Starting games under four different United managers, including Ralf Rangnick, Jose Mourinho and current United boss Erik ten Hag, McTominay would leave for Napoli this summer.

Departing his boyhood club in a £25 million move that facilitated the arrival of Manuel Ugarte, McTominay’s time in Manchester has now been looked back on fondly by many.

One of those who has taken the time to praise McTominay following his exit is Premier League winner with Manchester City, Micah Richards.

Richards, who now works as a pundit, spoke about McTominay on The Rest is Football, praising the midfielder following the end of his time in Manchester.

“You know what? I think we need to give McTominay his flowers, you know,” Richards told his co-hosts. “Because there’s so many times he has been lambasted at Man United for being just a workhorse or he’s only in the team because he got nobody else.

“But what he has done in terms of attitude, application, his runs into the box, really fit and good enough for the team, and what he does for Scotland, he’s brilliant so, we actually need to put some respect on his name because I see him play, he makes a difference.”

Scott McTominay’s departure came off the back of a season where the Scotland international scored ten goals in all competitions under Ten Hag.

Additionally, despite his exit being expected due to the midfielder entering the final year of his contract, McTominay was still selected by the United manager going into his final days at the club.

Less than a week before his exit was confirmed, McTominay would come off the bench against Brighton in the Premier League. The United academy graduate would also play against Fulham and in the Community Shield against Manchester City.

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