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Napoli boss Antonio Conte has launched a defence of former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay after the player was trolled by Serue A reporter Enrico Fedele.
McTominay permanently left United in the summer after over two decades of association with his boyhood team.
It’s understood that the Red Devils and Napoli reached an agreement for McTominay at around the £25 million mark.
United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth revealed that United weren’t actively looking to sell McTominay but the club had to sanction a sale after the midfielder expressed a willingness to leave in search of greener pastures.
The Scotland international was not short of interest, following a stellar individual 2023/24 campaign that saw him grab a career-high 10 goals across all competitions.
McTominay made his Serie A debut in Napoli colours just after the international break, as he came on from the bench to play the final quarter-hour of a comfortable 4-0 win over Cagliari.
During the limited time he was on the pitch, the Carrington academy graduate found his teammates with nine of the 11 passes he attempted. He won two of the ground duels he delved into and came out on top in the one aerial challenge he contested.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
It was not a debut worth raving about by any account and Radio Marte’s Fedele seemingly couldn’t resist aiming one or two jibes at McTominay.
In an episode of the Forza Napoli Sempre programme (via AreaNapoli.it), Fedele said, “How do I judge McTominay’s performance? He still seemed very tense. Some say he resembles Fabian Ruiz.”
“But the Spaniard is much more of a player. Is the Scot more dynamic than Fabian? I wouldn’t say so, honestly.”
Fedele further joked, “Yesterday he [McTominay] seemed stiff like Ivan Drago, the Russian boxer in the Rocky Balboa film.”
Ahead of Gli Azzurri’s clash on Saturday vs. Thiago Motta’s high-flying Juventus, Conte spoke to Tuttomercatoweb and was asked how his new signings – McTominay, Billy Gilmour and David Neres are progressing. The Italian coach gave a glowing assessment of McTominay, in stark contrast to Fedele’s remarks.
Conte replied, “The more time passes, the more they fit into our idea, with David we worked during the break, ten days with Billy and Scott, it was positive.”
“They are understanding the idea of football we want to play.”
“They adapt to the type of work also from a physical, metabolic, strength point of view, what the coach asks for.”
Conte added, “I’m happy because they are receptive and can give us a good contribution.”
The match is certainly one a few United fans will have their eye on to see how McTominay fairs.
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