Scott McTominay: From ‘Teacher’s Pet’ at Manchester United to Napoli Star
Former Manchester United midfielder, Scott McTominay, who now shines for Napoli in Serie A, was given a rather cheeky nickname during his lengthy tenure at Old Trafford. It turns out one of his teammates playfully labeled him ‘teacher’s pet’. This lighthearted moniker emerged amidst his dedicated service and hard-working style at the club.
McTominay, now 28 years old, spent over two decades with the Red Devils before making a move to Italian football giants, Napoli, in the summer of 2024. His transfer to Serie A marked a new chapter in his career after years of dedicated service to Manchester United.
Since joining Napoli, the Scottish international has quickly become a fan favorite. He has impressed the passionate Gli Azzurri supporters by contributing significantly to their campaign. With an impressive tally of seven goals and four assists in 31 appearances, McTominay has become a key player for Antonio Conte’s Napoli side, who are currently chasing the Serie A title.
Despite not being perceived as a flashy or overly glamorous player, McTominay’s consistent performances and work ethic made him a vital asset for Manchester United. Over the years, he played under a string of high-profile managers, each recognizing his value to the team. These managers include:
- Jose Mourinho
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- Michael Carrick
- Ralf Rangnick
- Erik ten Hag
His dedicated and industrious approach to the game was even the inspiration for his amusing nickname during his time at Manchester United. According to reports from the Manchester Evening News, a teammate humorously christened the Scotland national team player as ‘teacher’s pet.’ This nickname hinted at his perceived eagerness to please and his diligent attitude.
Managers’ Praise for McTominay: Mourinho and Ferguson’s Admiration
Adding to the praise, former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, aged 62, fondly referred to McTominay, then 28, as “my boy.” Mourinho expressed this sentiment during an appearance on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, highlighting the special bond he forms with certain players throughout his managerial career.
“When I go club to club, I find my boys and they are always going to be my boys,” Mourinho stated, emphasizing his deep appreciation for players like McTominay who demonstrate loyalty and hard work.
The accolades for McTominay don’t stop there. Legendary former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, also lauded McTominay’s development back in 2021. Ferguson recognized McTominay’s growing importance to Manchester United during that time.
“Scott McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United’s big players,” Ferguson remarked. He further elaborated on McTominay’s consistent selection for important matches, stating, “When you watch Man United pick their team for a big game, McTominay’s name is in it. He’s a good character, a great trainer. I know a little bit about the boy and I think that’s the background.”
Ferguson reminisced about his early involvement with McTominay’s career, “I signed him when he was seven or eight years of age and he was actually a centre-forward as a kid.” He drew parallels between McTominay and Darren Fletcher, another successful Scottish midfielder at Manchester United, noting their similar physical development and playing style.
“McTominay is of a similar type to Darren – long, lanky, good winner of the ball and a good turn of pace going forward, a great attitude to the game. All these attitudes that Darren Fletcher had, he’s got them,” Ferguson explained. He highlighted Fletcher’s reliability in crucial games, especially against rivals like Arsenal, and projected a similar trajectory for McTominay at Old Trafford.
Ferguson concluded by expressing his pride in seeing Scottish talent flourish at Manchester United, “McTominay is going forward on those guidelines that Darren pursued for a long time at United. It’s really rewarding for me to see a Scot coming through.”
Scott McTominay’s journey, filled with hard work, dedication, and even a playful ‘teacher’s pet’ nickname, showcases his resilience and talent. From Manchester United to Napoli, he continues to prove his worth on the football pitch, earning praise from iconic figures like Mourinho and Ferguson.
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