Scott McTominay’s move to Napoli has been a triumph, with his performances proving Manchester United wrong. The Scottish midfielder joined the Italian club last summer for £25 million after a mixed seven-year spell at United.
His debut season in Serie A was remarkable, contributing 12 goals and four assists in 34 matches under Antonio Conte.
McTominay’s impressive tally of 16 goal involvements matched Hernanes’ record from the 2010-11 season for a debut campaign in Serie A. His achievements also set a new benchmark for Scottish midfielders in Europe’s top leagues since the early 2000s, equalling Charlie Adam’s Premier League record of 12 goals in 2010-11.
The midfielder’s final goal of the season came during Napoli’s decisive 2-0 victory over Cagliari, securing their fourth Scudetto title. His outstanding performances earned him the league’s Most Valuable Player award, highlighting his significant impact on the team.
While McTominay thrived in Italy, Manchester United faced a disappointing season. They finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their worst league performance since their relegation in 1973-74. Additionally, they lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final, accumulating their highest number of defeats since that same year.
Andy Robertson, Scotland’s captain, praised McTominay for his decision to leave Old Trafford. “I think he went over there with a point to prove,” said Robertson. “He wanted to prove Manchester United wrong and prove people in the Premier League wrong.”
Robertson’s Perspective on McTominay
Liverpool defender Robertson commended McTominay’s attitude and determination to excel. “He has gone over there and done that pretty successfully,” Robertson noted. “That’s credit to him, credit to his attitude and his determination to be the best version of himself.”
At Manchester United, McTominay struggled for consistent game time and recognition. However, his success at Napoli has elevated his career significantly. Robertson added that even before joining Napoli, McTominay had already set high standards for Scotland.
McTominay continues to improve and reach new heights with each performance. His journey from Manchester United to becoming a key player at Napoli demonstrates his resilience and talent on the international stage.