Scott McTominay’s transformation from Manchester United benchwarmer to Napoli Serie A hero is nothing short of miraculous. Following his August 2024 transfer to Napoli for £25.7 million, the Scottish midfielder emerged as an irreplaceable figure in manager Antonio Conte’s side. McTominay’s first season had him score 12 goals and make six assists across 34 league matches and receive the Serie A Most Valuable Player award for the season 2024–25.
The highlight of McTominay’s campaign was in the clinching 2–0 win against Cagliari, when his acrobatic scissor-kick strike settled the opening score and gave Napoli their way to their fourth Scudetto. This win was so crucial since Napoli outran Inter Milan by only one point, securing the title on the last day of the season.
Under the guidance of Conte, Napoli also changed dramatically, particularly following the exit of mainstays Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. McTominay, together with fellow new arrival Romelu Lukaku, who was good for 14 goals and 10 assists, became central to Napoli’s revival. Their combined tally of 26 goals and 14 assists speaks volumes about the influence of Conte’s shrewd signings.
The festivities in Naples attested to McTominay’s new hero status. Supporters affectionately referred to him as “McFratm,” a mix of his last name and the Neapolitan word “fratm” standing for “my brother.” Throughout the ecstatic open-top bus parade, McTominay was witnessed embracing the celebrations, such as taking swigs of whisky handed by fans and dancing with supporters. His evolution from Manchester United castaway to Napoli legend speaks volumes of the powerful effect of change of environment and leadership.
