Italian journalist Paolo Condò has launched a scathing assessment of Manchester United’s recent track record in developing and managing players, claiming the club has “no rival” when it comes to wasting and ruining potential talents over the last decade.
Softfootball reports that Condo’s remarks came in the wake of impressive performances from several former Manchester United players who struggled for form or were deemed expendable during their time at Old Trafford.
The 66-year-old renowned journalist was critical of the club’s inability to maximise their talent, highlighting how many of the Red Devil’s former players have gone on to flourish once leaving United.
According to a post on Fabrizio Romanao Facebook page, Italian journalist Paolo Condò delivered a scathing critique of Manchester United’s player management, arguing that no club has been worse at squandering talent over the past decade. The post reads:
Italian journalist, Paolo Condò just tore Manchester United apart:God bless Manchester United. There’s no club in the world better at ruining talent in the last 10-12 years than them.Today we saw a great Højlund, last year McTominay led Napoli to a Scudetto, and De Gea’s saves too. We can’t stop thanking them.
Condò pointed to Rasmus Højlund, Scott McTominay, and David de Gea as prime examples. Højlund, who endured a difficult spell at Old Trafford following his high-profile move from Atalanta struggled to settle under the weight of expectation and inconsistent management.
Yet, away from United, the Danish forward has looked revitalized, showing the sharpness and confidence that first attracted attention in Serie A. The 22-year-old striker scored 14 minutes into his Napoli debut after joining the Serie A champions on an initial loan deal from Manchester United this summer.
So it seems the striker has set about making his former club regret the decision on debut against Fiorentina on Saturday night.
Scott McTominay, a product of United’s academy, spent years caught between midfield roles and rarely cemented himself as a guaranteed starter.
His departure was met with mixed reactions from supporters, but the Scotland international has since flourished in Italy, playing a pivotal role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign and proving he can thrive in a settled, tactically defined environment.
Then there is David de Gea, once regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world during his peak years at Old Trafford. After leaving United last amid contract disputes and questions over his suitability for then Erik ten Hag’s system.
Now, the Spaniard has reminded everyone of his quality with a string of superb displays at Fiorentina demonstrating that his reflexes and experience remain at the highest level.
Condò’s comments will sting a fanbase already frustrated by years of inconsistency and underachievement in the wake up being humbled by Man City with a 3-0 defeat at Etihad on Sunday.
The examples of Højlund, McTominay, and De Gea feed into a wider narrative that talented players often leave Old Trafford only to rediscover their best form elsewhere.
