Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United's struggles are hard to watch, but they may have been self-inflicted given the club's decision to sell Scott McTominay.
United have endured another turgid campaign after sacking Erik ten Hag and replacing the Dutchman with Ruben Amorim, who has failed to make an impact.
Amorim's side are 15th in the table before Sunday's visit to Brentford, though there is still hope of silverware in the Europa League, in which they lead Athletic Bilbao 3-0 after the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday.
Central to United's struggles has been their lack of success in the transfer market, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte failing to impose themselves at Old Trafford.
McTominay went the other way to Napoli in August, and has not looked back since, with his 11 goals this campaign the most of any midfielder in Serie A.
"Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100%," Solskjaer, now managing Besiktas, told BBC Sport.
"How you can sell Scott is beyond me."
Indeed, McTominay's goal tally this campaign is the most of any Scottish player in Serie A in history, overtaking Denis Law's 10 in 1960-61.
The last Scotland midfielder before McTominay to manage 10 or more goals in one campaign in Europe's top five leagues was Charlie Adam, scoring 12 for Blackpool in the 2010-11 Premier League season.
This marks McTominay's best scoring return in a single campaign across all competitions, with his 12 this term ahead of 10 in 2023-24 and seven in 2020-21 for Man Utd.
The former United man's season could still end with silverware in Serie A, with Napoli leading the Scudetto race by three points, in stark contrast to the Red Devils' issues.
Solskjaer guided United to second in the 2020-21 campaign, with McTominay one of his key players, but was sacked in October 2021.
"Man United is my family and will always be part of me," he added.
"In football, you don't feel sorry for anyone because we are privileged, absolutely 100% privileged to be able to work in clubs like this.
"But for me, it is hard to watch because it is your family that is struggling. It is never easy at the weekend when you look at the table."
Pass2Pogba
0
He can't play CAM buh he's still better at CM so you're much better off with the likes of mount and Dorgu
what are you writing dude... he can't play CAM? What position is he playing now ? he's top scorer of his club now. also of Seire A.
Titdeiotuz
0
words
Titdeiotuz
0
don't talk too much cause you also sell our best striker Lukaku and we never get a better center forward after ur poor decision
habcemos
0
if you know you know. but seems to me you're just dumb as farmers fans.
He can't play CAM buh he's still better at CM so you're much better off with the likes of mount and Dorgu
Pass2Pogba
0
Do you really know football???? I’m not talking about America one they calls a football, don’t ever say fking shit again
if you know you know. but seems to me you're just dumb as farmers fans.
kenblnty
0
Most fans must know that premier league is the hardest compilations in the world any average players in others clubs could do better yes we a greed not in English league so difficult try it you will get what am saying.
what about Sancho, is he not playing in England and still performing well ?
JijangaUtdfan
0
he was an average player. he can't play CAM in place of Bruno. this is why they have sold him instead of rotting on bench for his sake. he's doing well cuz it's Farmers league.
Do you really know football???? I’m not talking about America one they calls a football, don’t ever say fking shit again
JijangaUtdfan
0
Ten hag also said he don’t want to sell Mctominay but this club owners are clowns 🤡
Nezbdisyz
1
Most fans must know that premier league is the hardest compilations in the world any average players in others clubs could do better yes we a greed not in English league so difficult try it you will get what am saying.
Pass2Pogba
0
he was an average player. he can't play CAM in place of Bruno. this is why they have sold him instead of rotting on bench for his sake. he's doing well cuz it's Farmers league.
Wenailpz
0
most players who left Manchester united are doing very well at their clubs so what's the problem at Manchester something that is hard to figure out
yecabcor
1
just worried if we playing a English team in da finals of da Europa cup
yecabcor
0
I have been stressing dis out dis is da premier league crying out loud U can't play 3 in da back not even in da premier league U dnt expect Ur wingers to defend dats why dey call dem a goalkeeper,LW , RW CB MF Sticker's
gudiest01
0
Solskjaer but you where Managing United and you couldn't win us any thing you have all those players Scott and Fred. You only gave us disappointment. Please give us a break and concentrate on the team you are coaching.
He wan better than any other coach United has employed
gudiest01
0
Solskjaer but you where Managing United and you couldn't win us any thing you have all those players Scott and Fred. You only gave us disappointment. Please give us a break and concentrate on the team you are coaching.
What’f Ateta at arsenal
yecabcor
0
now bcus e performing ole came alive an Der is nothing new ABT our culture at united even dat has been given awayfor free
yecabcor
0
lol ole is still living Wen MC was sold were was ole
magnumpi
1
where were you when they were selling him he's now doing good you are now talking as if you cared
Dadademtuy
1
mctominay was just a total average player at man united
muhceilrst
0
it was a tragedy decision,look how the poor team is struggling, almost out of EPL
Colito
0
mctominay out score all manu players this season
in which league?
Colito
0
After him which good coach did you have? Have you taken a look at your league position? He left you in 2nd position at the expense of teams that were better than you. Besides, the budget he operated on cannot be compared to Erik Ten Hag and Co, irrational fan
our position in the league isn't about the absence of Mctomnay but the new coach, playing style and unwillingness for players to come together. so you wanted Mctomnay to be the second choice hence ruining his career? he was right to move to Italy and Italy league is not the same like EPL. even Lukaku who failed dismally is performing well in Italy
SGTSingam
4
What a ridiculous comment from Ole. Tomminay is already sold and flourishing with Napoli. So, just be proud of the lad...
cusaclpst
0
trying to get public attention he was just average at united shirt
After him which good coach did you have? Have you taken a look at your league position? He left you in 2nd position at the expense of teams that were better than you. Besides, the budget he operated on cannot be compared to Erik Ten Hag and Co, irrational fan
Huccnoptuz
0
mctominay out score all manu players this season
viyakopz
3
i always tell me whenever Manchester united is playing against Chelsea my dear club, I fear this guy more. the guy is kinda dangerous and the energy he always had whenever playing Chelsea is unreal.
Hiddlnprsy
0
Solskjaer but you where Managing United and you couldn't win us any thing you have all those players Scott and Fred. You only gave us disappointment. Please give us a break and concentrate on the team you are coaching.
he was that last good coach u have that brings good football after that straight down hill
JoeBaller
0
Solskjaer but you where Managing United and you couldn't win us any thing you have all those players Scott and Fred. You only gave us disappointment. Please give us a break and concentrate on the team you are coaching.
Enjoy 14th then
Ritbcemnot
3
if united sold the likes of Beckham, Ronaldo, Roy Keane among others then who is Scot MC tominay
dizbciklsz
0
Solskjaer but you where Managing United and you couldn't win us any thing you have all those players Scott and Fred. You only gave us disappointment. Please give us a break and concentrate on the team you are coaching.
You are ungrateful, he left United at 2nd so u like ur league position. Delusional being
risadkmpsu
2
Solskjaer but you where Managing United and you couldn't win us any thing you have all those players Scott and Fred. You only gave us disappointment. Please give us a break and concentrate on the team you are coaching.
Diacdknyz
0
trying to get public attention he was just average at united shirt
At best he was used and known as SUPER SUB, coming off the bench as an impact player,,,,,,⚽⚽⚽
Colito
3
trying to get public attention he was just average at united shirt