Former Premier League striker Darren Bent believes Scott McTominay would have struggled in Ruben Amorim’s team if Manchester United hadn’t sold the Scotland midfielder to Napoli last year.
A lot has happened since Scott McTominay left Manchester United.
After spending 17 years at the club, including seven in United’s first team, McTominay was sold to help the club comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules.
McTominay won the Serie A’s ‘Most Valuable Player’ award as Napoli were crowned champions of Italy in his first season. The Scotland international also became a fan’s favourite under Antonio Conte.
Meanwhile, in Manchester, McTominay’s former club has struggled. He left the club before Erik ten Hag was sacked; therefore, he never had the opportunity to play under Ruben Amorim.
It raises questions about whether McTominay would have been suited to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Napoli.
Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images
Darren Bent doesn’t think Scott McTominay would thrive under Ruben Amorim
McTominay isn’t the only player to leave Old Trafford before showing better form elsewhere in recent years.
The same applies to Antony, Alvaro Fernandez, and even Marcus Rashford.
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That was evident during the week as Rashford recorded an assist for Barcelona in the Champions League.
While McTominay is the best example of a player who stepped up after his exit, former Premier League striker turned pundit Darren Bent doesn’t believe the Napoli ace would thrive under Amorim because of the system being enforced.
On talkSPORT’s Drive show, Andy Goldstein asked Bent where McTominay would start for United.
Bent said: “Well, that’s the thing. The system that you play it wouldn’t help him would it? Because he’s not a holder. He’s a box-to-box. He’s an eight. He is an eight.”
Goldstein replied, only to point out that United haven’t got a player for that role, which has led to Bruno Fernandes being shoehorned into a deeper midfield position.
“No, you’ve got holder or 10,” Bent concluded.
Scott McTominay playing new role at Napoli
The arrival of Kevin De Bruyne has led to Conte playing McTominay in a different role this season.
McTominay has been playing as a left winger for the Serie A champions.
After playing a central midfield role last term, McTominay has had to show his versatility to keep his place in the team, despite being Napoli’s standout performer.
As a result, McTominay has been less effective in front of goal this season, with one goal in seven matches.
Napoli are next in action on Sunday when they take on Genoa at 5 pm.