Antonio Conte Surprised by Scott McTominay’s Decision to Join Napoli

Conte Questions Why Manchester United Failed to Unlock McTominay’s Potential

In the ever-unpredictable world of football transfers, few moves raised eyebrows quite like Scott McTominay’s switch from Manchester United to Napoli. While the Scottish midfielder’s arrival in Italy ended up being one of the defining factors in Napoli’s triumphant Serie A campaign, his journey to becoming a key figure under Antonio Conte is one that even the seasoned Italian tactician admits he didn’t entirely expect.

Now, as the dust settles on a historic season for Napoli, Conte has taken a moment to reflect on the impact of McTominay and his puzzling underutilisation at Manchester United.

What Happened? A Move No One Saw Coming

Napoli stormed to their fourth Serie A title in 2024-25, their first under the stewardship of Antonio Conte. While the usual suspects delivered, two names stood out in particular: Romelu Lukaku, back to his bruising best under a coach who knows how to use him, and Scott McTominay, who arrived quietly but finished the season as Serie A’s MVP.

In a candid interview with La Repubblica, Conte admitted that McTominay’s transfer from Manchester United took him by surprise. Not because the player lacked quality, but because he had been so chronically overlooked at Old Trafford.

What Antonio Conte Said

Napoli v Cagliari – Serie A

“Scott is a player I knew very well,” Conte began. “Every time he played, he had an impact. Physically, tactically, even emotionally – you could see the desire, the commitment. But somehow, he was never trusted in a decisive way. He was never ‘the guy’ for Manchester United.”

Conte revealed that he first raised McTominay’s name in discussions with Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna. “When I spoke to Manna, he said there might be a possibility, but you never know with these things. Directors will often float names just to keep a coach happy. I never thought it would materialise.”

Conte went on to explain that Napoli’s lack of European football was actually a disadvantage in this case. “We weren’t in any cups this season, so convincing a player to leave a club like United – even if he wasn’t playing much – for fewer matches was difficult. He took a real risk.”

The Bigger Picture: From Frustrated Fringe to Serie A MVP

conte

Since breaking through under José Mourinho, McTominay had long been a conundrum at Manchester United. Trusted by multiple managers to do a job, but rarely as a first-choice starter. His physicality and professionalism were never in question, but he struggled to carve out a clear role for himself amidst tactical shifts and squad rotations.

At Napoli, that changed instantly. Conte installed McTominay as the heartbeat of his midfield. He operated in a more advanced box-to-box role, bursting forward with late runs, contributing defensively with tenacious tackles, and bringing a level of leadership that belied his short time in the squad.

“He was our soldier,” Conte said. “Every game, every minute, he gave us balance and threat. He was the link between defence and attack. I don’t think we win the title without him.”

Indeed, McTominay finished the season with eight goals, six assists, and countless interceptions. More than the numbers, though, it was his engine, his willingness to fight for every ball, that endeared him to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona faithful.

Did Manchester United Miss a Trick?

Conte didn’t shy away from pointing fingers back at Old Trafford. “Sometimes in football, clubs don’t see what’s right in front of them,” he noted. “Scott had everything to be a regular starter. But maybe the pressure, the constant change of managers, the expectations – they didn’t help him.”

United, for their part, have since added multiple midfield options and are now reportedly in the market for yet another deep-lying playmaker. Whether McTominay could have filled that void is a question that may haunt the red side of Manchester, especially after watching one of their academy graduates shine so brightly on the continent.

A Project Reinforced by Loyalty

Conte’s own future at Napoli had also been a source of speculation. With murmurs linking him with a potential return to Juventus, tension among Napoli supporters began to build even as they celebrated their league triumph. But a productive meeting with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis put those rumours to bed.

“Talking was fundamental,” Conte said. “We clarified everything. The commitment was renewed on both sides. My family is settled here. The players believe in the project. I believe in the project.”

What Next for McTominay and Conte?

Napoli are back in the Champions League next season, and expectations are sky-high. Conte knows that defending the title will be even harder than winning it, especially with the added pressure of European fixtures. But with McTominay now a cornerstone of the team, Napoli have the spine to compete on multiple fronts.

“Scott is not just a player for us now,” Conte concluded. “He’s a symbol of what we want to be – disciplined, determined, a little nasty when we need to be.”

As for McTominay himself, he seems to have found a footballing home away from home. Naples may not have been his first choice when he imagined leaving Manchester, but it might just be the best decision he’s ever made.

Final Word

In a sport filled with superstars, stat-padding forwards, and flashy signings, Scott McTominay’s journey from a United reserve to Napoli legend is a reminder that grit, perseverance, and the right environment can redefine a career. And Antonio Conte, the master of instilling belief, has once again unearthed a gem by simply giving a player the chance to shine.

In the end, the surprise wasn’t that McTominay could play at this level. It was that so few seemed to believe it before Conte.