Scott McTominay has flourished since leaving Manchester United for Napoli in the summer of 2024
Scott McTominay of Napoli competes for the ball with Ederson of Atalanta during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta BC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 22, 2025 in Naples, Italy.
Scott McTominay has been on of Serie A's outstanding performers since moving to Italy
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Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has claimed ex-United star Scott McTominay has all of the attributes that Ruben Amorim currently needs.
McTominay, 28, scored a spectacular opening goal in Scotland's 4-2 triumph over Denmark earlier this month and has been instrumental in leading Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998.
His breathtaking overhead kick was the cherry on top of a spectacular year for him. After leaving United for Napoli in 2024, he won the Serie A title and even earned a nomination for the Ballon d'Or.
Despite being sold by United, the Scottish ace's stellar performances might have his former club ruing their decision to let him go, especially with Amorim thought to be prioritising a new midfielder. A move for Brighton's Carlos Baleba failed in the summer, while the club are also heavily linked with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, both of whom would set United back a pretty penny.
However, Ighalo, 36, believes the man that United let go has everything Amorim sorely needs right now. United are currently 10th in the Premier League table after an inconsistent start to the season.
"Scott McTominay is an interesting one because I think everything with him was just around timing," Ighalo told Ladbrokes at the launch of Ladisfaction.
: Scott McTominay of Scotland scores an overhead kick
Scott McTominay scored a stunning goal for Scotland against Denmark
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"You know, he’s doing so well since he left the club, but he had to leave because there were just too many players in his position around the place at the time."
Listing four key attributes McTominay possesses, he continued: "It’s funny because his style is probably something which Man United need now; he runs, he tackles, he works hard and he scores goals. He’s a very humble guy who fits Man United’s way of playing.
"His goal for Scotland last week was incredible… It’s the kind of thing Cristiano Ronaldo does! What a goal; it was unbelievable. I can’t say I ever saw him do anything like that in training at United, but he used to love to shoot and was always trying new things, so it didn’t surprise me he scored it in that respect.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Odion Ighalo of Manchester United warm up ahead of a pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on September 12, 2020 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Scott McTominay and Odion Ighalo were team-mates at Manchester United(Image: 2020 Manchester United FC)
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"He’s the kind of player who will shoot from anywhere; he’s so quick with his thinking and will happily take shots on first time, rather than controlling the ball and slowing things down."
Like McTominay, Ighalo also found himself as an unlikely fan favourite at United. Signing from Shanghai Shenhua on loan in January 2020, the Nigerian forward became a cult hero at United, mainly thanks to his larger-than-life personality.
Ighalo even revealed in his first interview with MUTV that he took a pay cut to sign for United such was his love for the club. Ighalo scored five goals in 23 appearances, which even saw his name sung on the terraces at Old Trafford.
“It’s so hard to see this dream come to an end,” Ighalo wrote when his loan ended in January 2021. “But I give God the glory for helping me fulfil this lifelong dream of putting on a Manchester United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honour I will forever cherish and be grateful for."