Scott McTominay was a face of the crisis at Manchester United. With the League title with SSC Napoli, The Scot is now crowning his fabulous season in Italy.
Immediately after the final whistle, Scott McTominay was overcome by his feelings. The SSC Napoli midfielder lay flat on his back on the lawn of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and put his hands in front of his face.
While the boundless cheering about the Scudetto was unleashed around him, one of the main actors could no longer hold back his tears of joy. For McTominay, the first league title of his career was very special.
Scott McTominay Led Napoli to the League Title
Naples Hero Mctominay “is Speechless”
“I’m lost for words, it’s unbelievable,” said the 28-year-old a little later at Dazn. “The way every player on this team sacrificed themselves is simply unbelievable. The people deserve it because they have stood behind us from day one. Coming here and experiencing this is simply a dream for me.”
With his artistic sideways kick to take the lead before the break (42nd), McTominay paved the way for SSC Napoli to win their fourth Scudetto in the 2-0 win against Cagliari Calcio. The remarkable highlight was the fitting coronation of his outstanding season around the foot of Vesuvius.
With twelve goals this season, McTominay was the most dangerous midfielder in Serie A. In addition, there were eight assists. The reward: the Italian league named the Scottish international player of the year.
“Hey Considered Superfluous at United”
And McTominay provided a special punchline – about 48 hours after his ex-club Manchester United had added an ultimate low point to their disastrous season with the lost Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Just a year ago, McTominay was no longer really needed at his youth club Manchester United, but rather he was one of the faces of the crisis at the English record champions. “He was considered superfluous at United,” wrote the Daily Mail. After more than 20 years, he turned his back on the Red Devils and moved to Naples.
“The 30 million euros now feel like a bargain,” judged the Daily Mail about the “amazing turnaround” that McTominay’s career experienced through the move to Italy. The Manchester Evening News described McTominay’s departure as “ManUnited’s biggest transfer mistake” in the Ineos era.
Italy Celebrates Mctominay
“Return of the Mac,” headlined the Sun in reference to Mark Morrison’s 90s hit.
At the Italian Tuto, McTominay made it onto the front page with a play on words. “Pazzescott!”, wrote the sports newspaper in sky-blue letters and colored his first name in the Italian colors green, white, red. Translated, “pazzesco” stands for “crazy”.
In addition, curious: Actually, last summer Naples originally wanted to sign Marco Brescianini from Frosinone for midfield. But the transfer fell through and Brescianini moved to Atalanta Bergamo.
The Second Choice Baces the Royal Transfer
The “second choice” McTominay turned out to be a royal transfer. Under coach Antonio Conte he has experienced an impressive rebirth. While he previously acted more as a defensive sixth at United, he flourished in Naples in a much more offensive role.
Especially in the final phase of the season, McTominay became more and more the decisive factor. In the last seven league games, he scored six times and prepared two more goals.
The Man for the Important Goals
Overall, he was often the man for the important goals. Against Cagliari, he scored the goal to make it 1-0 for the eighth time this season – that’s the best in Serie A. It is no coincidence that he is nicknamed bottle opener in Naples.
McTominay has played his way into the hearts of the fans with his performances. Among the fans he is revered as “McFratm” – a loving allusion to the Neapolitan term for brother.
“I feel a lot of love,” said McTominay, who, like his teammates with blue-dyed hair, accepted the trophy on late Friday evening. It was the starting shot of a long party night in Naples.