Scott McTominay: How United’s reject became Naples’ pride

Napoli midfielder, Scott McTominay in celebration after winning the Italian Serie A best player. Photo Credit- Skysports/X

The Italian city of Naples, where football is a religion and the temple where Napoli worship their heroes with fervent passion, a new name is blooming across the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona: Scott McTominay. The 28-year-old Scottish midfielder, once a pivotal figure at Manchester United, has undergone a remarkable transformation since his £25.7 million transfer to Napoli in August 2024. By May 2025, McTominay has not only led Napoli to a Serie A title but also claimed the league’s MVP award, cementing his status as one of the most inspiring redemption stories in recent football history.

From Old Trafford to Naples: A new chapter for McTominay

McTominay’s journey to Serie A stardom began with his departure from Manchester United, a club he had been part of since the age of six. Over 22 years, he made 252 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 29 goals, many of which were clutch strikes, like his extra-time brace against Brentford in 2024 to make a comeback victory. Yet, despite his loyalty and moments of brilliance, McTominay was often relegated to the role of a substitute, his potential reduced by inconsistent minutes and lack of ability to adapt to tactics due to United’s inconsistent managers.

The move to Napoli, by head coach Antonio Conte, was a gamble that paid off spectacularly. Conte, known for his pragmatic approach and ability to maximize player potential, saw in McTominay a dynamic midfielder who could thrive in a new environment. Arriving on transfer deadline day alongside Billy Gilmour, McTominay joined a Napoli side that also welcomed Romelu Lukaku and David Neres, signaling Conte’s intent to rebuild a squad that had melted like snow in the sunshine in their opening 3-0 defeat to Verona.

Playing style of McTominay

At Napoli, McTominay has been deployed as the most advanced midfielder in Conte’s system, a role that has allowed him to showcase his physicality, work rate, and ability for arriving in the penalty area at the right moment. Conte’s tactical shift to a 3-4-2-1 formation, and later adjustments to accommodate new signings, positioned McTominay as a box-to-box midfielder, tasked with making late runs to attack crosses and disrupt opposition defenses.

McTominay’s height and frame makes him a towering presence, and his aerial ability has been a key weapon, evidenced by his record-breaking seven goals from breaking goaless deadlocks in the 2024/2025 Serie A season, a statistic reported by The Guardian. His ability to time his runs has turned him into a goal-scoring threat, with 12 goals in the league campaign, a career-high that outstripped his entire United tally in a single season. Beyond goals, McTominay contributed 5 assists, showcasing his growing influence in the final third.

McTominay’s achievements

McTominay’s crowning moment came on May 23, 2025, when he scored the opening goal in Napoli’s 2-0 victory over Cagliari, securing the Serie A title by a single point over Inter Milan. The win marked Napoli’s first Scudetto since 2023 and only their fourth in club history, a triumph that can be described as a dream come true for McTominay.

That same night, McTominay was named Serie A’s MVP for the 2024-2025 season, an accolade that recognized his 12 goals, 5 assists, and consistent match-winning performances. He also earned a spot in the Serie A Team of the Season alongside teammate Romelu Lukaku, and Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.

Analyzing McTominay’s rise

McTominay’s success at Napoli can be attributed to several factors. First, Conte’s system played to his strengths. Unlike at United, where he was often asked to sit deep and break up play, Napoli’s setup allowed him to focus on his offensive contributions. His late runs into the box, a hallmark of his game since his youth, were perfectly suited to Conte’s emphasis on structured attacking patterns.

Second, the change of environment revitalized him. At United, McTominay faced constant scrutiny and pressure as part of a struggling squad. In Naples, he found a fanbase eager to embrace him and a coach who believed in his potential. As The Athletic reported in May 2025, McTominay’s move to Serie A allowed him to “finally show his true abilities,” unburdened by the weight of Old Trafford’s expectations.

Third, his partnership with Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori upfront created a balanced attack. Lukaku’s hold-up play and Raspadori’s movement opened spaces for McTominay to exploit, while wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola’s runs provided the crosses that McTominay converted into goals.

Challenges and criticisms

Despite his rise, McTominay’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Early in the season, Napoli struggled, with Conte admitting the team was still adapting to new signings. McTominay himself took time to adjust to Serie A’s tactical demands, picking up three yellow cards in his first five matches as he grappled with the league’s physicality.

Some critics, particularly in England, argued that McTominay’s success was a product of Conte’s system rather than individual brilliance. A pundit on Sky Sports noted, “He’s thriving because Conte has built the team around his strengths, but would he have this impact elsewhere?” However, McTominay’s consistent performances and MVP award silenced most doubters.

McTominay’s record and statistics

In the 2024/2025 Season, McTominay had played 36 matches for Napoli across all competitions, scoring 14 goals (12 in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia) and making 6 assists (5 in Serie A, 1 in Coppa Italia). He played 2,880 minutes and made 2.5 tackles per game. His interceptions per game was 1.8 with 60% of aerial duels won and 87% of completed passes.

Conclusion: A new era for McTominay

Currently, McTominay stands at the peak of his career, but his journey is far from over. With Napoli set to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season, he will have the chance to test himself against Europe’s top clubs. There is also talk of a contract extension, with reports suggesting Napoli are keen to tie him down until 2029. For Scotland, McTominay’s form is a tool ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His nine goals in 53 caps for the national team, including a crucial brace against Spain in 2023, make him a key figure for Steve Clarke’s side.