Kevin De Bruyne was a bane for Manchester United from the time he signed for Manchester City in 2015.
Manchester City’s ascent under Pep Guardiola would have irked United fans and the midfield maestro was perhaps the protagonist behind their dominance of English football.
Fulham and Everton fans applauded De Bruyne before his exit but the Old Trafford faithful would just have been relieved to have seen the back of the 33-year-old.
Kevin De Bruyne is now a Napoli player and is no longer set to torture Manchester United, both when he faces them or simply due to taking Manchester City to new heights anymore.
Kevin De Bruyne waves to the crowd after Fulham v Manchester City
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Kevin De Bruyne could annoy Man United fans by improving Scott McTominay further
De Bruyne is set to line up with familiar faces in Naples, such as his Belgian teammate Romelu Lukaku and former United midfielder Scott McTominay.
The 28-year-old’s incredible redemption would have upset Manchester United fans as they deemed him to be surplus to requirements and last season, he was voted as Serie A’s MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.
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United supporters could end up becoming more frustrated as playing alongside De Bruyne, McTominay could hit another gear in the 2025/2026 campaign.
The Scottish international managed to amass 12 goals and six assists from midfield while playing in tandem with Billy Gilmour and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa — two undeniably quality players but the Manchester City legend is simply on another level.
THE SERIE A MVP 24/25 – SCOTT MCTOMINAY 🤩
HIS FIRST LEAGUE TITLE, AND NOW THE MVP OF THE LEAGUE – WHAT A FIRST SEASON IN ITALY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hCOy0zrmpx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 23, 2025
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Napoli fans were ecstatic about De Bruyne’s arrival and McTominay should be as well, considering the former’s incredible eye for a pass would complement his intelligent movement into the box to score goals.
Thierry Henry likened De Bruyne to Xavi and if Antonio Conte plays him in a deeper central midfield role, he could pull the strings for the likes of McTominay to thrive in the final third.
Earlier last season, Pep Guardiola played the six-time Premier League winner in such a role and he looked the part, constantly finding runners like Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku.
With De Bruyne, alongside either Anguissa or Gilmour possessing the passing range and press-resistance to help Napoli’s build-up, McTominay can solely focus on stationing himself in the final third to score and assist goals — unlike last season where he did often drop deep — a role that does not suit him the best.
Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay’s record against each other
The pair will have to become accustomed to becoming teammates, having gone toe-to-toe in 14 Manchester Derby clashes in the past.
RECORD AGAINST EACH OTHER KEVIN DE BRUYNE SCOTT MCTOMINAY
APPEARANCES 14 14
WINS 8 5
DRAWS 1 1
LOSSES 5 8
De Bruyne has had the edge on McTominay, coming out on top in eight out of the 14 outings during his time at Manchester City.
However, the latter managed to win on five instances, despite Manchester United being an inferior side to Manchester City in every one of those meetings.
But now, both players will have to forget the past and unite to help Napoli sustain their dominance over Italian football.