Antonio Conte’s comments on Scott McTominay will do little to lift Erik ten Hag’s mood at Manchester United after the Scot continued his flying start to life in Italy.
Napoli signed the Scotland international earlier this summer in a deal to help facilitate Manuel Ugarte’s eventual move from PSG.
McTominay, who scored his first goal for the club against Palermo recently, is already making quite the impact for his new employers.
With United’s current struggles well documented, Conte has spoken out on the capabilities and character the 27-year-old brings to his team.
“McTominay is a player who has the goal in his blood, he is very good at fitting in,” began the Napoli boss.
“He has very good technical qualities, as well as an important physical size.”
“And in his head he asserts himself. He has quite a few goals in his DNA.”
Napoli’s impressive start to the new season has seen them climb to the top of the standings after just six games following their latest victory.
A 2-0 win over Monza saw McTominay yet again play the full game in the Neapolitans’ midfield while at Old Trafford, United’s dismal start to the season continued with a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Ugarte has, in contrast to his predecessor, struggled to acclimatise to his new surroundings so far.
A former Premier League player also believes swapping the two was a risky move by the club.
Scott McTominay has enjoyed a flying start to life in Italy (Image: Getty)
“How can you sell Scott McTominay for £30 million and sign Ugarte for £50 million? He is used to Lisbon,” began Paolo Di Canio recently.
“He was excellent there for two years, but the Premier League is another thing. In Manchester, it was 10 degrees, it’s been raining for 10 days, in Lisbon it’s 25.
“The truth is that Ten Hag doesn’t like British players, he doesn’t buy any British players. Last year he bought Rasmus Hojlund, this season Joshua Zirkzee, who has a physicality that works well in Italy.
“Tottenham instead bought Dominic Solanke, who is a good player, nothing sensational but a good player. I’m sorry to see Ten Hag in great difficulty, but he hasn’t learned anything from these two years.
“When they concede a goal, they don’t react, nobody raises their heads, nobody talks to each other.”