Scott McTominay: From Manchester United to Napoli Star

After making 255 appearances for Manchester United, Scott McTominay seized the opportunity to expand his horizons beyond British football. Having seldom been a guaranteed starter at Old Trafford, the 28-year-old has quickly endeared himself to fans in Naples.

Last season, he played a pivotal role in securing the Italian top-flight title, achieving a personal best of 13 goals across all competitions and earning MVP accolades. However, there have been whispers that both he and his girlfriend, Cam Reading, may be feeling somewhat unsettled during his second year with Napoli.

La Liga giants Barcelona have reportedly shown interest in acquiring him, while Premier League clubs Newcastle and Tottenham are also keen to bring McTominay back to England. Should this scenario unfold, Manchester United could potentially re-enter the fray.

According to Caught Offside, there is “concrete interest in Scott McTominay. Manchester United would welcome him back, while Newcastle and Tottenham are monitoring the situation. Barcelona also see him as a valuable addition to their midfield.”

Many within the Manchester United community have questioned the decision to let McTominay leave, highlighting his versatility and home-grown background. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former United manager, has expressed his confusion over the sale, stating it lacked rationale.

Solskjaer, who provided McTominay with 115 appearances during his tenure, shared his thoughts on the Stick to Football podcast, expressing disbelief over the transfer: “I was almost shocked because you need a core of local lads who truly understand the club. Scott embodies that.

“He has demonstrated his quality in Italy. His character and leadership set high standards, and he thrives in competitive situations. He was recognized as Serie A Player of the Year and won the league with Napoli, showcasing his importance to any squad.

“In my squad, Scott probably wasn’t positioned to excel enough due to competition, particularly with Bruno Fernandes. I recall instances against Leeds where we encouraged him to push forward, and he scored decisively. He possesses great physicality, which is invaluable.”

While Solskjaer remains an advocate for McTominay, former United captain Roy Keane has expressed skepticism about his return to the club. Keane remarked, “I’m cautious about players returning. He has adapted well at Napoli; however, I wasn’t relying on him to be the savior for Manchester United. If he’s viewed as a squad player and a £30 million offer comes in, it’s a reasonable deal.”

McTominay has added four goals to his Napoli tally this season in 14 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League. He has reunited with former United teammate Rasmus Hojlund and ex-Manchester City rival Kevin De Bruyne at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Tied to a contract until 2028, there is currently no indication that Napoli is open to offers for him. Meanwhile, McTominay is focused on contributing to the Scotland national team as they aim for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in their upcoming matches against Greece and Denmark.