Scott McTominay’s bold move from Manchester United to Napoli was met with raised eyebrows, but just one season later, the Scottish midfielder is not just a star in Serie A — he’s a legend in Naples. With a title-winning goal, the league MVP award, and the hearts of a passionate fanbase, McTominay’s Italian renaissance is a story of risk, resilience, and reinvention.
A hero’s welcome in Naples
When Scott McTominay collapsed to the pitch in tears after helping Napoli clinch their fourth Serie A title, it was more than just a moment of joy — it was a moment of transformation. The Scottish international had already captured fans’ imaginations with a prolific season, but his acrobatic volley against Cagliari sealed both the league title and his legacy.
That goal marked his 12th of the campaign — the most by any midfielder in the league — and his contributions were recognized immediately. At just 28 years old, McTominay was named the Serie A Most Valuable Player for the 2024–25 season, an astonishing achievement for a player who had been seen as expendable by Manchester United less than a year earlier.
His emotional post-match interview said it all: “I’m lost for words. The sacrifice every single player has made… It’s incredible. The people here deserve this. For me to come and experience this is a dream.”
From overlooked to overachiever
Just a year ago, McTominay’s future at Manchester United had stalled. Despite over two decades at the club, including 178 Premier League appearances and a key role under several managers, the midfielder was allowed to leave for £25.7 million. United needed to balance their books under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules — and McTominay became collateral.
Looking back, that decision seems baffling. Even his former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær admitted, “How you can sell Scott is beyond me.” As United struggled through one of their worst seasons in decades, McTominay flourished in Italy, proving that the right environment can unlock a player’s full potential.
The move nearly didn’t happen. Napoli were originally set to sign Marco Brescianini from Frosinone, who was even undergoing a medical. But when that transfer collapsed, Napoli pivoted — and McTominay arrived instead. The rest is history.
Conte’s tactical revolution
Under Antonio Conte, McTominay was transformed from a functional, often defensive midfielder into a dynamic, attacking force. Playing as a “raider” rather than a “builder,” he thrived in a more advanced role — making smart late runs into the box and linking up with Romelu Lukaku, another former United player enjoying a career revival in Naples. “He’s not just part of the system,” said Naples-based journalist Vincenzo Credendino, “he’s the engine. He fits Conte’s vision perfectly — much like Marchisio or Vidal at Juventus. He’s all about intensity, sacrifice, and timing.”
McTominay led all Serie A midfielders in touches inside the opposition box and ranked among the highest in duels won. He also demonstrated leadership, notably defusing an on-pitch altercation involving teammate Amir Rrahmani, further endearing himself to the fans.
In the Coppa Italia and throughout the league campaign, his consistency and versatility stood out — earning him player of the month honors in April and another nomination for May. Few could have predicted that the same player, once viewed as surplus at Old Trafford, would become the face of a title-winning team in Italy.
A city’s new icon
Naples is not just a footballing city; it is a city that canonizes its football heroes. Diego Maradona, for example, is more than a legend — he’s a saint, memorialized in murals, tattoos, and now the name of the stadium itself. While McTominay won’t match those mythic heights, he’s carved a special place in Napoli folklore. He’s affectionately called McFratm (“McBro” in Neapolitan slang), but other nicknames include McTerminator, MacGyver, and Apribottiglie (“the bottle opener”) — a nod to his knack for scoring game-opening goals. In fact, 8 of his 12 league goals came when the score was 0-0.
McTominay’s popularity goes beyond the pitch. In a BBC Scotland interview, he said: “I took the opportunity, I didn’t look back. I love this place, I love the fans, I love my team-mates.” That love is mutual. A pizza restaurant in Edinburgh even flies a flag reading: Napoli. McTominay. Pizza. In that order.
Shrines have emerged in his honor — one in San Nicola a Nilo — and fans proudly wear kilts in tribute. His efforts to learn Italian and even Neapolitan have not gone unnoticed. Nor have his simpler joys. In an interview with The Athletic, McTominay raved: “Oh my goodness, the tomatoes. I never ate them at home. Here, they actually taste like tomatoes.”
A golden era for Scottish football in Italy
McTominay’s success is part of a broader Scottish renaissance in Italian football. Before this season, only two Scottish players — Jack Diment and James Squair in 1905 — had ever won the Italian men’s league title. That number has now doubled.
Alongside McTominay, fellow Scot Billy Gilmour also lifted the trophy with Napoli after joining from Brighton. Meanwhile, Lewis Ferguson captained Bologna to Coppa Italia victory, becoming the first Scottish winner of the cup since Graeme Souness. They join the likes of Rose Reilly, the former Milan player and trailblazer in the women’s game, in the annals of Scottish-Italian football history.
A new chapter, written in blue
Scott McTominay’s journey from Manchester to Naples was unexpected, but it’s quickly become one of the most compelling narratives in European football. He took a chance, left his comfort zone, and emerged not just as a top-class midfielder, but as a beloved figure in a city where football is religion.
He may not have been a marquee signing. He may not have the flair of a traditional Serie A star. But what McTominay brings — grit, goals, and gratitude — has made him unforgettable. In Naples, he didn’t just find success. He found home.
