With Manchester United’s dismal form continuing for a few seasons now, irrespective of who is in charge of football operations or even which manager is gracing the dugout whilst scratching their heads, the exodus of player talent that has taken place over the last few years has left many just wondering what the hell is going on, and there are those fans who would like some former players back.
High earners being jettisoned under the guise of financial hardship and the appearance of attitude problems is certainly nothing new at Old Trafford these days, but even with that said, midfielder Scott McTominay’s departure made little sense to anyone involved in the game. But depart the 28 year old Scottish international did late on last August for a fee of just £25.7 million and a one club, over 200 appearance career came to an end as he made the move to Napoli to try his hand at the Italian game and Serie A.
For those fans who like a flutter, many would have bet that he would do well and bounce back nicely from the disappointment, but few would have expected him to win the ultimate crypto casino promotions available and do just as well as he has done, but he rolled the dice and that is all you can do.
Simply put, the 61 capped Lancaster born player could not have chosen better as he teamed up with serial winner Antonio Conte, and just 12 months later he has been revitalised as a player and goes into his second year in Italy as a league title winner, Serie A’s Most Valuable Player, the joint top scoring midfielder last season and a Ballon d’Or contender having been named as one of the nominees this summer on the 30 man shortlist.
As his former club finished in a league low 15th place in the Premier League table and lost out on European triumph to Tottenham Hotspur, who bizarrely finished two places below them in the table, the contrast of fortunes could not have been starker if you were writing a piece of fiction.
Conte changed everything, whilst actually doing nothing more than placing his utmost trust in a player who had formerly been a quiet, but hugely reliable defensive midfield talent. Breaking up play when needed, and playing the simple pass to get his side on their way, he even featured at centre half for his country, but being given more offensive licence, he had eleven Serie A goals to his name as he went into the final day clash with Cagliari and unbelievably pulled off a spectacular scissor kick to find the back of the net and send them on their way to a much deserved fourth league title.
The days of Diego Maradona might be over in Naples, albeit his memory lives long from his playing days, but slowly but surely McTominay (well, 12 months so not that slowly) is being talked about in the same breath such is his importance and talismanic nature to them now. 19 goals in 178 Premier League appearances, compared to 12 goals in 34 league appearances for Napoli having just been told, have fun I trust you. Some tactical twist as all he is doing is no longer playing second fiddle to bigger names and laying the ball off, he is bossing it and truly making a bigger name for himself.
It goes without saying, he is relishing that opportunity, that freedom and he acknowledges himself that stepping out of the United comfort zone has caused him to grow as a player and a person. United might be regretting their decision, as what price would you put on needing to pay to see him return to the English top flight now, but McTominay certainly is not – even if he did not like it at the point.
The transfer window speculation rumour mill has linked him with a few clubs so far this summer, but as deadline day slowly begins to near, no club has yet tested what kind of justifiable mark up Napoli would now demand to even entertain a sale.
Probably for good reason too.
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