McTominay reveals what he told Ten Hag before joining Napoli from Man Utd | OneFootball

Scott McTominay confirms that the decision to join Napoli from Manchester United ‘was quite straightforward’ and told Erik ten Hag that he wanted to push himself on.

The 27-year-old completed a permanent €30.5m transfer last summer.

“It was a big decision, but in some ways it was quite straightforward,” McTominay told BBC Scotland.

“I saw the passionate fans, I saw the coach, I saw the players and I saw an opportunity.

“I took it. I didn’t look back. It didn’t take me long to make the decision because I knew that was what I wanted and I’ll never have any regrets in my life. As soon as I put my mind to something I want to do it, that’s it. There’s no holding me back.”

McTominay reveals what he told Ten Hag before joining Napoli from Man Utd

Erik ten Hag reacts before the UEFA Champions League group C soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam in Dortmund, Germany, 03 November 2021 EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

McTominay joined Napoli at the end of the summer transfer window alongside his Scotland compatriot Billy Gilmour.

McTominay has taken Serie A by storm, scoring three goals and providing three assists in 13 league matches.

His move to the Stadio Maradona was so influential that Antonio Conte switched to a four-man defence after over a decade, dropping a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 system.

“I love this place. I love the fans, I love my teammates,” McTominay added.

“It has been a pleasure to be with Billy every day rather than just seeing him at Scotland and we have helped each other a lot.”

The 27-year-old explained the “amicable” process that led him to Naples from Old Trafford.

“It was a mutual decision,” he confirmed.

“It was a case of – there’s an opportunity there, do you want to go?

“Obviously I know from their side FFP is difficult. It’s not easy for clubs to make a decision in regards to homegrown players, but that was never in my thought process.

“On my last day, I had to go and see everyone, and it was not easy to say goodbye. But that’s football. That’s the life.

“I spoke to him [Ten Hag]. He expressed his thoughts on the situation. I said, ‘listen it’s my career, I am here to push myself on’.

“In this situation, I have to look out for number one and go with my gut feeling of what I want to do in my career and not be held back by any other external factors.”

McTominay has signed a contract until June 2028 at the Stadio Maradona.

Antonio Conte’s Napoli currently sit second in the Serie A table, just two points below leaders Atalanta.

Their next game is away at Genoa on Saturday, December 21.