Napoli chief makes Scott McTominay stance perfectly clear after Man Utd transfer claim

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The likelihood of Scott McTominay returning to Manchester United anytime soon appears to have been ruled out by Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna. Since joining the Serie A side in 2024, the Scotland international has thrived, emerging as one of Europe's most influential midfielders.

McTominay played a pivotal role in Napoli's title-winning campaign last season, scoring 12 goals in 34 games and earning the accolade of Serie A's Most Valuable Player. His rapid rise in Italy has led many to call United's £30million sale one of the club's biggest transfer mistakes in recent memory.

Over the past year and a half, calls for a reunion have grown among fans and reports last month even suggested a surprising comeback could be on the cards for the 29-year-old. Those speculations, however, seem to have been snuffed out by Manna, who emphasised McTominay's value when questioned about Napoli's plans in the January transfer window .

"We're waiting for [Frank] Anguissa, who is an important player, to come back," Manna said. "We've missed him a lot. McTominay is showing that he can be decisive in that role. The coach will make his evaluations."

Since arriving in Naples, McTominay has been a near constant fixture in Antonio Conte's side. While he has not matched last season's goal tally, he has still contributed in critical moments this term, netting important strikes against Inter Milan in Serie A and PSV in the Champions League .

Napoli have no intention of selling their star midfielder, though some reports suggest they could entertain offers around £60m. With United seeking more energy in midfield - and with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo possibly leaving this year - McTominay's name has inevitably been mentioned as a target.

Even so, such a move seems improbable. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has emphasised his reluctance to invest heavily in older players and a transfer at that price would contradict the club's shifting strategy.

Questions also remain over United's recruitment priorities following Ruben Amorim's departure , leaving it unclear which positions will be focused on in this window - if any.

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There is also no certainty that McTominay would be open to a return. The former United star is clearly flourishing in Italy and his role as Napoli's talisman would be hard to replicate at Old Trafford.

This was, ultimately, part of the reason he left. Despite delivering consistently strong performances for both club and country during his seven years in United's senior squad, McTominay was never treated like a superstar and often played in positions that did not suit his strengths.

Therefore, it increasingly looks as if McTominay's future is set in Naples, where he has found the recognition and freedom that eluded him in Manchester.

For United supporters, seeing a player they once allowed to leave succeed on a bigger stage may sting - but it also underlines that a change of environment can be exactly what a player needs to reach their peak potential.

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