Scott McTominay has emphatically proven his point about being played out of position during his Manchester United days, delivering another commanding performance for Napoli that has Italian media raving about his true capabilities.
From Scotland Hero to Serie A Dominance
The 28-year-old midfielder followed up his spectacular overhead kick for Scotland against Denmark with a crucial assist in Napoli's 3-1 victory over Atalanta on Saturday. McTominay's sumptuous through ball for David Neres in the 38th minute demonstrated the attacking prowess he always believed he possessed, but was rarely unleashed at Old Trafford.
Playing the full 90 minutes, the Scotsman produced an all-action display that saw him complete 88% of his passes, win seven out of 14 duels - the most of any player - and make nine defensive recoveries. His performance helped Antonio Conte's side return to the top of Serie A, continuing their impressive title defence.
Italian Media Delivers Verdict
Italian news outlet CalcioNapoli1926 captured the essence of McTominay's display perfectly, stating: "It was the match of a complete midfielder: elegance combined with physical dominance." The publication Il Mattino went further, delivering a clear three-word assessment that McTominay operates best as a "pure attacking midfielder".
This verdict resonates deeply with comments McTominay made earlier this year about being "misprofiled" during his time at Manchester United. Despite making 255 appearances for his boyhood club since breaking through under Jose Mourinho in 2017, the Scotland international often found himself deployed as a number six or even as a centre-back.
Proving His Point in Italy
Since his £25.7 million move to Napoli in August 2024, McTominay has flourished in his preferred advanced role. The midfielder has already clinched a Serie A title with the Italian champions and earned a Ballon d'Or nomination during his incredible first year at the club.
Reflecting on his Manchester United experience, McTominay previously explained: "When I got into the first team, I was quite misprofiled in where I was playing. My strengths have always been getting into the box, scoring goals, being a problem in there."
His current form for both club and country - including that sensational overhead kick in Scotland's 4-2 win over Denmark that helped secure their first World Cup appearance since 1998 - suggests he was absolutely right about his best position all along.
