Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dropped his verdict on Scott McTominay after the ex-Manchester United star’s time under Napoli head coach Antonio Conte.
Scott McTominay came through the ranks of the Manchester United youth academy and has spent his entire career at Old Trafford ahead of his 2024 summer exit.
The 28-year-old Scottish midfielder had been a mainstay in the United first team after his emergence and had played a key role for United managers of the past.
However, United made the decision to sell McTominay during Erik ten Hag’s reign at the Premier League club, with Napoli swooping in for the ex-Red Devils talent.
Napoli agreed to sign McTominay for a £25.7m transfer fee and the Scotland international has established himself as a key first-team player for Antonio Conte.
Pep Guardiola makes an admission about former Man Utd star Scott McTominay ahead of Man City’s clash with Napoli
Former Manchester United star Scott McTominay will return to Manchester with the Napoli squad for Thursday’s trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side will kick off their 2025-26 Champions League campaign at home, only days after City’s 3-0 Premier League win over United at the Etihad.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, the City manager revealed his true feelings on McTominay’s run of form at Serie A side Napoli.
Guardiola suggested that McTominay has thrived at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium due to the “conditions” that have been put in place under Antonio Conte.
“No [I’m not surprised by McTominay], he has really good conditions [in Naples],” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“It was a team that won the Serie A and when you win, it means every player is always performing to his maximum level.”
Napoli star Scott McTominay has unlocked the next stage of his potential under Antonio Conte after his Man Utd exit
McTominay impressed in his debut campaign with current side Napoli and Conte’s men edged out Italian rivals Inter Milan to the Serie A title by only a single point.
The ex-United midfielder made 36 appearances across all competitions for Napoli in the 2024-25 season and McTominay scored 13 times and registered six assists.
Not only did he secure his first Scudetto trophy with Napoli, but McTominay also made the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist after his stunning run of form for his side.
The Scotland international has played in three matches for the defending Italian champions this season and McTominay has netted once for Napoli so far.
City and Napoli’s Champions League showdown at the Etihad is slated for an 8pm kick-off time in the UK on Thursday.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
