Jose Mourinho dropped a Sir Alex Ferguson-esque ‘hairdryer treatment’ on a former Manchester United star for the attitude that he showed to Michael Carrick and Ashley Young.
The ‘Special One’ finally arrived at Old Trafford in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era after Louis van Gaal was axed as Manchester United manager in 2016.
Jose Mourinho led the Red Devils to the League Cup and the Europa League in his debut season at United, but he failed to capture the Premier League title with the club.
Scott McTominay was one of the fortunate United youth academy products who was able to climb through the ranks and make the first team during Mourinho’s reign.
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Scott McTominay’s reaction to Jose Mourinho’s phone call had a long-lasting impact on the former Man Utd midfielder
Scott McTominay, who is now at Napoli, received his senior Manchester United debut under Jose Mourinho in the 2016-17 Premier League season.
The 29-year-old Scottish midfielder was able to establish himself as a first-team mainstay under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag after Mourinho was sacked.
However, McTominay’s run at Man Utd came to an end during Erik ten Hag’s reign after the Red Devils sanctioned his £25.7m move to Serie A side Napoli in 2024.
Speaking to BBC Sport, McTominay recalled how Mourinho put him in his place for his exchange with former Man Utd teammates Michael Carrick and Ashley Young.
“Jose phoned me because I was arguing with Michael Carrick and Ashley Young,” he said.
“There were a couple of swear words in there. He dressed me down. It was like, ‘Who do you think you are? You’ve done nothing.’
“I thought it was over [at United] before it started, how forceful he was.”
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Napoli ace Scott McTominay holds a sentimental connection with former Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho
McTominay has impressed during his two seasons with Napoli in his post-Old Trafford spell, including lifting the Serie A title in his debut campaign at the club.
The Napoli midfielder admitted that the impact that Real Madrid manager Mourinho had on him is still felt long after working under the 63-year-old Portuguese.
“There’s a picture in my grandparents’ house of me making my debut in the Champions League, standing beside Jose Mourinho,” McTominay told FourFourTwo magazine in 2024.
“They loved him because he gave me that moment. He gave me that initial opportunity, so he will always be a hero of mine.
“I’ll be forever grateful for everything that he did for me.”
McTominay, who lifted the League Cup and the FA Cup with Man Utd, is currently away on international duty with Scotland for this summer’s World Cup tournament.
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