Scott McTominay, now of Napoli, has reflected on his time at Manchester United and how he always felt the need to prove himself following high-profile arrivals
Scott McTominay showed his class as he commented on Manchester United’s transfer policy. The Scottish midfielder left the Red Devils last summer for Napoli, where he has been a revelation.
At United, McTominay regularly needed to prove himself every season following an expensive or high-profile signing or two. And when the new arrival usually failed to live up to their reputations, the reliable McTominay would predictably be restored to the side.
The 28-year-old holds no grudge over his treatment under various United managers, insisting being made to prove to worth only hardened his resolve. Underlining his character in an interview with The Athletic, he said: “They would always sign someone who wouldn’t necessarily be what people expected them to be.
“My mentality was that I was always there, ready to go, ready to take my opportunity. I always wanted to prove my worth, to show I could play every game. It’s not the sort of thing that affects me. You can only be in control of what you do.”
On dealing with expectations of playing for United, whether an expensive arrival or an academy graduate, McTominay added: “It’s Manchester United. You have to be ready.
“Fans won’t tolerate anyone who isn’t ready. You could play 10 or 40 or 50 games and be moved on, just because you’re not ready at that moment, so you have to go and learn and improve. I was fortunate to play 250 games, to win the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, but I wanted to win more. You always want to win.”
McTominay, who made his first-team debut in 2017, said he felt “misprofiled” by his early United managers. Again, though, he isn’t resentful about his treatment.
He said: “When I got into the first team, I was quite misprofiled in where I was playing. It wasn’t the fault of any coaches.
“My strengths have always been getting into the box, scoring goals, being a problem in there. But I was being used as a No.6, or as a centre-back, and that has never really been my game.”
McTominay could end the season with a medal that alluded him at Old Trafford, a league title, with Napoli sitting second in Serie A, three points behind leaders Inter Milan ahead of this weekend’s action.
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