While some wonder whether Manchester United ‘made a mistake’ selling Scott McTominay, Antonio Conte explains how the midfielder’s versatility can flourish at Napoli.
The Scotland international made the transfer to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this summer for €30.5m plus a 10 per cent cut of the sell-on fee.
In four games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, he has already contributed a goal and an assist, helping to send his team to the top of the league table.
His presence prompted Conte to shift his usual 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3, though McTominay has been seen pushing up a lot more into an attacking role.
“Nothing happens by chance, we work on these situations in training so that we can use those positions to create problems for the opposition,” said Conte in his press conference after a 2-0 win over Monza.
“Scott is a complete player, versatile, who can be a trequartista behind the striker, he can be a mezz’ala in a three-man midfield, play in a two-man midfield or even wide in a 5-4-1 with licence to attack.”
Manchester United realise selling McTominay to Napoli ‘a mistake’
While McTominay has already won over the Napoli supporters, especially after kissing the badge when scoring his first goal for the club, Manchester United are beginning to wonder if they made a mistake.
That is certainly the position taken by Robbie Savage on BBC 5 Live show 606.
“I’m surprised United got Ugarte, Casemiro alongside Mainoo doesn’t suit him, he needs somebody who can get up and down. I think was a big mistake selling Scott McTominay, I really do.”
Manchester United paid €50m to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain and are struggling badly in both the Premier League and Europa League.
🤔 Were Manchester United wrong to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli?
