McTominay, who joined United’s youth system at just five years old, was sold to Napoli in a £25.7 million move last year. ..Continue Reading
He quickly made his mark in Serie A, playing a key role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign and earning recognition as the league’s best player.
While at United, McTominay often struggled to settle into a consistent midfield role, though Conte believes the Scottish midfielder had everything needed to thrive.
‘I knew him when he played with Manchester United because I coached two times in England,’ Conte said.
‘I saw great potential in this player and was [asking] why Scott McTominay is not dominant in England because he has great potential.
‘When the possibility happened to sign him for Napoli, honestly in the first moment I didn’t believe that it could happen. It happened and now he is enjoying it.
‘For a player like him, he was born in Manchester United and there is a point in your career and life where maybe you need to change and to try another experience. It happened with us and we are really, really happy because we are not only talking about a fantastic player but a fantastic man.’
Conte also shared that Hojlund was eager to join Napoli after a challenging spell at United under Ruben Amorim.
‘I knew Rasmus because he played with Atalanta and then he came to Man United. In my opinion we are talking about a player with great potential and he is only 22, so he has a whole career ahead of him,’ Conte said.
‘When we spoke with him, I felt he was really happy to get this new experience and he said he was ready and wanted to play for me and for Napoli.
‘He has great potential and now it’s up to me to improve him and to grow and to become a really, really top striker. Whether they come from the Premier League or any other championship, the important thing is that the players who arrive or come onto the pitch can give something.
‘Hojlund didn’t have much luck or a great experience in the last couple of years at Man United.
‘He is a 22-years-old who has a whole career in front of him. He’s shown that he has so much potential and so many things that I need to work on to try and implement even more and make them even better.’
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