'Leaving Man Utd was a huge decision – but I want to be successful and have no regrets'

· Mirror

The former Manchester United star took a big risk leaving Old Trafford but has scaled the heights ever since

Napoli star Scott McTominay admitted leaving Manchester United was a "huge" decision but not one he regretted as he chased success. The midfielder departed Old Trafford for the Italian giants in 2024 for £25.7million and he has not looked back.

Ending his two-decade-long association with United was no easy task for the Scotland international. But the heights he's hit in Italy ever since prove he made the right decision.

McTominay, 29, has also been a lynchpin for Scotland as he helped guide them into this summer's World Cup. Scotland will play North Macedonia in the Nations League on Saturday, although McTominay won't feature due to undergoing minor heart surgery recently.

Upon leaving United, he told The Times: "Obviously it’s a big decision, there’s no denying that. It was a huge decision for me and my family and my friends. At times like that in your life you just have to say, ‘Do I want to do it? Absolutely,’ and go for it.

> "There’s no looking back. I’ve never had any regrets in my life or my career and I continue that way to this day. I want my career to be successful and I’m going to go out of my way to try and push myself to be the best football player and best person that I can possibly be."

McTominay began his career rising through United’s academy, making his debut in 2017. He made 255 appearances for his boyhood club and arguably had his best-ever year for United in his final season.

His impact in Italy has been seismic, however. He won the Serie A title in his first season in Italy, scoring 13 goals, and then picked up the Supercoppa Italiana last season.

He was named Serie A Player of the Year for 2025. McTominay has also fully immersed himself in Italian life away from the pitch. From savouring espresso to discovering fresh tomatoes, the Scot has spoken enthusiastically about his new existence in Naples.

Speaking about the affection he receives from locals, he said: "The people in Naples are incredible. They're so passionate and everywhere you go there are people who say 'Forza Napoli' and they want to speak to you and have a conversation and that inspires you every time you go on the pitch because they care."

Yet he was hit with a scare recently after being diagnosed with "a mild benign arrhythmia", which is an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm deemed non-serious and posing no significant risk to overall health.

The procedure took place in Manchester earlier this month and ruled McTominay out of action for two weeks. But he has now returned to training.

Following the operation, he told reporters: "I’m fine, the procedure was something I'd planned to do with the club for quite a while. We’d already talked about it in pre-season, I’ll be out for a few weeks."

Napoli are currently ninth in Serie A after five games played. McTominay has only featured in two games so far due to his surgery.

Asked about his contract in Italy, which runs until 2028, he has remained evasive. He said: "There haven’t been any new talks. The important thing is what happens on the pitch, not the contract extension. I don’t know when it will happen, it’s not the time to be thinking about that."

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