Scott McTominay Shines at Napoli as Manchester United Midfield Struggles Without Him
Scott McTominay’s transfer from Manchester United to Napoli during the summer window has proven to be a masterstroke for both the player and his new club. The Scottish international, who spent over two decades at Manchester United, has hit the ground running in Serie A, making an immediate impact on the pitch. Since his £25 million move to Napoli, McTominay has been a standout performer, solidifying his place in Antonio Conte’s starting lineup and showcasing his attacking abilities, much to the delight of Napoli fans.
On the flip side, Manchester United has been left grappling with midfield struggles, particularly in light of McTominay’s departure. United’s attempt to fill the void with new signing Manuel Ugarte has not gone as smoothly as expected, leading to mounting questions about whether the decision to sell McTominay was the right one.
McTominay Thrives Under Conte at Napoli
McTominay’s move to Napoli was seen as a fresh start for a player who had struggled to find consistent game time under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Despite scoring ten goals across all competitions in his final season at Old Trafford, he was often used as a rotational player and not a regular starter. With United looking to raise funds during the summer window, McTominay was deemed expendable, and a move to Italy was sealed with Napoli.
At Napoli, he has thrived in a new system under Antonio Conte, who has slotted the Scotsman into a more advanced midfield role. This has allowed him to utilize his ability to make late runs into the box and contribute as a goal-scoring threat, a skill he had shown flashes of during his time at United.
️P aolo Di Canio: “I would go to those at Manchester United to arrest all the directors – how can you give away McTominay?” (Il Mattino) pic.twitter.com/8MKxrhVaqy
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 12, 2024
Wearing the No.8 shirt at Napoli, a jersey previously donned by notable players such as Fabian Ruiz and Jorginho, McTominay has embraced the challenge of filling big shoes. His debut for Napoli came as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Cagliari, and it wasn’t long before he made his mark in front of goal. He scored his first goal for Napoli in a Coppa Italia match against Palermo, linking up with Romelu Lukaku, another former Manchester United teammate, to finish off a swift attacking move.
McTominay’s second goal came even quicker—just 26 seconds into a recent Serie A fixture against Como, where Lukaku once again provided the assist. The blossoming partnership between McTominay and Lukaku has been one of the highlights of Napoli’s unbeaten run since the midfielder’s arrival. Lukaku, speaking about his partnership with McTominay, said, “He knows my game, we played together in Manchester for two years. I know his ability in front of goal is lethal. He is doing very well and must continue like this.”
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Manchester United’s Midfield Crisis Post-McTominay
While McTominay is flourishing in Serie A, Manchester United is feeling the impact of his departure. Erik ten Hag’s side has struggled to find the right balance in midfield, with their early-season performances marred by inconsistency and defensive frailties. United’s decision to sell McTominay was largely influenced by their need to bring in new players, and the funds from his transfer were used to sign Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
However, Ugarte has had a tough start at Old Trafford. After a shaky performance on his full debut during a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Ugarte was dropped from the starting lineup and has struggled to regain his form. The decision to bench Ugarte in subsequent matches against Porto and Aston Villa has raised concerns about his ability to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. As a result, United’s midfield has looked disjointed and lacks the stability that McTominay once provided.
Additionally, United’s reliance on Casemiro, who has not been able to replicate the form that made him a world-class midfielder at Real Madrid, has further compounded their issues. With Casemiro showing signs of decline and Bruno Fernandes struggling for consistency, United’s midfield has been vulnerable, and the absence of McTominay’s energy and presence is being felt.
Ian Wright: “Why’d you get rid of Scott McTominay?”
Gary Neville: “He’s doing well at Napoli.”
Roy Keane: “Sometimes, when a player leaves and has a good career, doesn’t mean he was good enough for Man Utd.”
Agree with Keano? pic.twitter.com/ceGWrawrkQ
— ΛROUND THE GROUNDS (@ArndTheGrnds) October 12, 2024
United’s tactical approach under Ten Hag requires a midfield that can press high, win duels, and contribute offensively, all of which McTominay did during his time at the club. His ability to arrive late in the box and score key goals added a layer of unpredictability that is now missing. Fans and pundits alike are starting to question whether United’s decision to part ways with McTominay, especially given their current midfield woes, was premature.
A Move That Benefits McTominay
McTominay’s career trajectory at Napoli continues to rise, and his performances have already caught the attention of Serie A observers. The dynamic midfielder has seamlessly adapted to Conte’s tactical system, and his ability to play box-to-box has made him one of Napoli’s most effective players in the early stages of the season.
Napoli, currently unbeaten since McTominay’s arrival, looks set for another strong campaign in both domestic and European competitions. With McTominay playing a key role in their midfield, Napoli is confident that he will continue to deliver in crucial moments. His partnership with Lukaku, as well as his positioning in front of a deep-lying midfield duo, allows McTominay to exploit space and make well-timed runs that create scoring opportunities.
The Scotsman has also embraced the Napoli culture, as evidenced by his passionate goal celebrations, including kissing the badge during the Palermo match. McTominay’s newfound confidence and form in Italy could lead to even greater success, and he is already being touted as a future leader at the club.
Did Manchester United Make a Mistake?
As Scott McTominay thrives at Napoli, Manchester United’s decision to sell him during the summer window is being scrutinized. The Scotland international’s performances in Serie A show that he is more than capable of succeeding at the highest level, and his contributions are exactly what United’s midfield currently lacks—stability, energy, and a goal-scoring threat from deep.
While Manuel Ugarte was brought in as McTominay’s replacement, his early struggles have left United searching for solutions in midfield. The once-crowded midfield at Old Trafford now looks thin and out of sync, leading to calls for better recruitment and more patience with young players like Ugarte.
Only time will tell if United can fix their midfield issues, but for now, Scott McTominay’s success at Napoli is a reminder of what they might be missing.
