Napoli manager Antonio Conte is surprised that Manchester United were not able to tap into the full potential of one of Scott McTominay’s strengths at Old Trafford.
Manchester United made the call to sell Scott McTominay in 2024, despite former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag being an admirer of the Scotland international.
McTominay was expected to see his United first-team opportunities limited after the club signed Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial fee of £42.1m.
Napoli swooped in for McTominay in 2024 and the defending Serie A champions signed the 28-year-old Scottish midfielder for a fee of £25.7m from United.
The former United midfielder has been able to thrive away from Old Trafford and McTominay has impressed during his spell so far under Antonio Conte at Napoli.
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesAntonio Conte reveals what he expected to see from Man Utd when they used Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay had spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford ahead of his move to Napoli, having come through the Manchester United youth academy.
The former United star had a meaningful impact in his debut Serie A season with Napoli, with McTominay netting 13 times in 36 matches across all competitions.
The 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist featured McTominay, who picked up six assists as well last season, after his superb run of form under Napoli manager Antonio Conte.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Conte admitted that he was surprised that United didn’t make McTominay a “dominant” force in England.
“I knew him when he played with Manchester United because I coached two times in England [with Chelsea and Tottenham],” he said, as per The Guardian.
“I saw great potential in this player and was [asking] why Scott McTominay is not dominant in England because he has great potential.
“When the possibility happened to sign him for Napoli, honestly, in the first moment, I didn’t believe that it could happen.
“It happened and now he is enjoying it.”
Antonio Conte’s feelings on Scott McTominay’s run at Napoli ahead of the Champions League showdown with Man City
Napoli travel to the Etihad on Thursday evening and the defending Serie A champions kick off their Champions League campaign against Manchester City.
McTominay has already made three appearances in the Serie A for Napoli this season and the Scotland international scored in the 2-0 win over Sassuolo.
Napoli boss Conte has admitted that he is thrilled that his side pulled off their 2024 swoop for McTominay, who has shown himself to be a “fantastic player” for the club.
“For a player like him, he was born in Manchester United and there is a point in your career and life where maybe you need to change and to try another experience,” he added.
“It happened with us and we are really, really happy because we are not only talking about a fantastic player but a fantastic man.”
City and Napoli’s first Champions League match of the 2025-26 campaign is slated for an 8pm UK kick-off time in the UK on Thursday.