Andy Robertson has recently voiced his opinion on Scott McTominay's successful transfer to Napoli, suggesting that the Scottish midfielder "wanted to prove Manchester United wrong" after joining the Italian club. Robertson's comments highlight a growing sentiment that McTominay was perhaps undervalued during his time at Old Trafford and that his move to Serie A has allowed him to flourish and demonstrate his true potential.
McTominay, a Manchester United academy graduate, spent several years with the Red Devils, making 255 appearances. However, he often struggled to secure a consistent starting position. Last summer, he was sold to Napoli for a reported fee of €30 million. Since then, he has become an integral part of Antonio Conte's Napoli squad. In the 2024/25 season, McTominay scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Napoli's Serie A title win. Furthermore, he was voted the league's Most Valuable Player, a testament to his outstanding performances.
Robertson, the Liverpool left-back and Scotland captain, believes that McTominay's success in Italy is a direct result of his desire to prove his doubters wrong. Speaking ahead of Scotland's friendly match against Iceland, Robertson stated, "I think he went over there with a point to prove. I think he wanted to prove Man United wrong and prove people in the Premier League wrong. He has gone over there and done that pretty successfully. That's credit to him, credit to his attitude and his determination to be the best version of himself. Now he is a king over there."
Robertson further elaborated on the reasons behind McTominay's resurgence, suggesting that he "lacked getting that run of games consistently, he was in and out" at Manchester United and "probably didn't get the respect he deserves." He added, "Then he goes over there, puts in a magnificent season and fair play to him to end it with the league title. Even before he was at Napoli, his standards for Scotland were unbelievable. He's getting better and better, he has taken it to a whole new level."
The decision to let McTominay leave Manchester United has been met with increasing criticism, with many fans and pundits now acknowledging that the club made a mistake in letting him go. His performances in Serie A have not only elevated his own career but have also raised questions about United's transfer policies and their ability to recognize and nurture talent. The fact that his market value has increased since joining Napoli, now standing at an estimated €40 million according to Transfermarkt, further underscores the financial implications of this transfer misstep.
McTominay's journey to Italy has not only been a personal triumph but has also had a positive impact on the Scottish national team. Robertson emphasized the importance of having players with a "winning mentality" and experience in high-pressure games. He believes that McTominay's success, along with that of other Scottish players like Billy Gilmour who also moved to Napoli, will benefit Scotland in future international competitions.
Robertson also highlighted how McTominay and Gilmour have been embraced by the Napoli fanbase, noting that "for them to love one of ours, it's pretty special for Scotland too." He humorously mentioned that McTominay has even started speaking to his Scotland teammates in Italian on the pitch, reflecting his integration into Italian culture.
