Conte ‘didn’t think’ McTominay would join Napoli, but ‘noticed’ one thing at Man United | OneFootball

Antonio Conte admits he didn’t expect Scott McTominay to sign for Napoli, although the Scotland international ‘wasn’t used as a key player’ at Manchester United.

McTominay joined the Partenopei in the 2024 summer transfer window, contributing to their second Serie A title in three years.

The Scots’ 12 goals and six assists in 34 league games in 2024-25 also earned him the Serie A Player of the Season Award.

Conte didn’t expect Napoli would ‘surely’ sign McTominay

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates victory following the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“Scott is a player whom I knew really well. He was born and raised at Manchester United,” Conte told Sky Sport.

“I could see that he always made an impact when he played, but at the same time, I noticed he wasn’t used as a key player at Manchester United. He was hardly a starter. Honestly, we had talked about it with [Napoli director] Giovanni Manna. He told me it was a possible solution.

“Sometimes, directors make up stories also to keep you calm,” Conte continued.

“If you ask me: ‘Have you ever thought McTominay would surely arrive?’ I’d say no. Don’t forget we were heading into a season without European trophies to play for, so he had to leave Manchester United to start over with us.”

The second part of the interview was released today. In the first part of last week, Conte said the timing of the McTominay transfer irritated him.

The former Manchester United midfielder, in fact, moved to the Stadio Maradona at the end of the 2024 summer transfer campaign, and after that, Napoli had already lost the opening league match 3-0 at Hellas Verona.

“A bit late, but he arrived and I was very happy because Manna was good at signing him,” Conte continued.

“We had discussed McTominay, but I didn’t think he would really join us.”

Conte: Lukaku rejected many offers for Napoli

epa12129582 SSC Napoli�s coach Antonio Conte celebrates winning the 2024/2025 Serie A title after the Italian Serie A soccer match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio, in Naples, Italy, 23 May 2025. SSC Napoli won their fourth league title. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO

Another key player in Napoli’s Scudetto was Romelu Lukaku, who also joined the Partenopei at the end of August last year.

“Lukaku rejected many offers, even big ones. He wanted to come and made no problem regarding not playing cup games. He wanted to return to working with me, and he’s a good boy,” concluded Conte.

“He really is a good boy. Don’t think that we always get along, there is always a carrot and a stick for a boy who will always give me everything on the pitch.”