From Man Utd Bench to Serie A Throne – How McTominay Powered Partenopei to Scudetto | OneFootball

Napoli ushered in a new era under Antonio Conte, beating Inter to the 2024/25 Serie A title in one of the most dramatic races in memory. Only a point separated the two teams after 38 rounds as the Partenopei claimed their fourth Scudetto.

Unlike two years ago, when Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inspired Napoli to a dominant win, this season’s title race went down to the wire. Despite losing the Georgian winger to Paris Saint-Germain midway through the campaign, the Partenopei found a new hero.

From a fog of uncertainty, a new talisman emerged. Brought in for a fee of £25.7 million from Manchester United only last summer, Scott McTominay went a long way from a ‘benchwarmer’ at Old Trafford to Napoli’s latest fan favorite. Indeed, the 28-year-old became the beating heart of this title-winning team.

It’s safe to say that Napoli supporters visited stadiums across the country with renewed belief and unshakable passion, largely thanks to the Scottish star. Fans eager to witness more thrilling Serie A action live can secure their seats now through LFT. There’s no doubt McTominay will be one to watch out for next term too.

Impact Player

Often overlooked in the Premier League, McTominay found his stride in Serie A. His knack for scoring was well-documented despite his limited first-team opportunities at Manchester United. However, he took his game to the next level at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

His late runs into the box and tireless work rate made him indispensable during Napoli’s fierce battle for supremacy. For context, he finished the season as the most prolific midfielder in Italy’s top flight, tallying an impressive 12 goals and six assists from 34 appearances.

Yet, there was far more than just pure stats. McTominay’s goals were often decisive and served to win points for Napoli. Indeed, he was either breaking the deadlock or scoring winners, making him the most valuable player in Conte’s squad.

McTominay’s first away goal in Serie A came in an ill-tempered 1-1 draw against Inter in October. Only two rounds later, he notched a winning goal against Torino. Then, he bagged an 88th-minute winner in a nerve-wracking 3-2 victory over Atalanta in January.

Best for Last

By the time Napoli had established themselves as viable title contenders, McTominay was already among the most appreciated players in Naples. However, his scoring prowess truly blossomed when it mattered the most.

After netting a match-winning brace in a 3-0 rout of Empoli, McTominay found a last-gasp winner against Monza. Even that wasn’t the end of his sterling exploits in a title-deciding sequence. Another brace on the following weekend inspired Napoli to a 2-0 triumph against Torino.

Furthermore, with the title on the line in a final-day clash against Cagliari, Napoli couldn’t find a breakthrough until McTominay’s stunning overhead kick unlocked the Sardinians’ low block. Conte’s side would go on to win 2-0 and dethrone Inter while the Scottish star carved out his name in club history.

In a season defined by grit and narrow margins, McTominay became the unlikely hero Naples desperately needed.