Napoli boss, Antonio Conte, has admitted he was puzzled by Manchester United’s decision to allow two of their players, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund to join the Italian side.
Speaking ahead of their Champions League game away to Manchester City, Conte suggested that before his move to Napoli, Manchester United failed to bring the best out of McTominay.
McTominay joined the Red Devils’ academy at the age of five but the club opted to sell the midfielder to Napoli for £25.7 million last year.
McTominay, 28, did not take time to settle at Napoli, playing a pivotal role in their Serie A title success last season and winning the league’s player of the year award.
Speaking of Hojlund who joined on loan from Manchester United in the summer transfer window, Conte said, “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.
“Hojlund didn’t have much luck or a great experience in the last couple of years at Man United.”
McTominay, just like many other players at Old Trafford in recent years, struggled to find his best position in midfield.
“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.
“Honestly in the first moment I didn’t believe that[Man United would sell him]. It happened and now he is enjoying it.
“He is a 22-year-old, who has a whole career in front of him.”
McTominay will return to Manchester on Thursday to help Napoli beat Manchester City in their opening Champions League game.
