Ex-England and AC Milan boss Fabio Capello has insisted that a former Manchester United talent is “very different” from a player who has “exceptional class.”
Manchester United have seen several first-team Red Devils stars depart Old Trafford and head off to represent their countries during the October international break.
The Red Devils received a much-needed boost of momentum ahead of the October break after United defeated Sunderland 2-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko in the first half ensured United took the lead over Sunderland and the club maintained their advantage after the break.
Fabio Capello reacts to the ‘overlap’ that former Man Utd star Scott McTominay is now feeling at Napoli
Scott McTominay left Manchester United in 2024 and the 28-year-old Scottish midfielder completed a sensational move to Napoli for a £25.7m transfer fee.
A former United youth academy product, Scott McTominay excelled in his debut season at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium under Napoli boss Antonio Conte.
McTominay featured on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist and the Scotland international lifted the Serie A title with Napoli in the 2024-25 campaign.
However, the former United talent’s influence has waned in the 2025-26 season after Napoli signed ex-Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne in the summer.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Fabio Capello said: “McTominay is in a position that De Bruyne is usurping.
“The two players are very different: De Bruyne has exceptional class, a unique vision of the game.
“McTominay is a player of insertion and strength. The two positions overlap.”
Fabio Capello breaks down why Kevin De Bruyne is preferred to Scott McTominay in the central role at Napoli
Scott McTominay ended his debut Serie A season by making 36 appearances across all competitions and netting 12 times and registering six assists for Napoli.
Fast-forward from the 2024-25 campaign to the 2025-26 season and the Napoli ace has only found the back of the net once and picked up one assist in eight matches.
The knock-on effect of Kevin De Bruyne’s arrival has seen Napoli manager Antonio Conte play McTominay out on the left instead of in a more central role in his side.
Capello admitted that De Bruyne showed his quality when he came off the bench and had a major impact for Napoli in the 2-1 win over Serie A side Genoa.
“Furthermore, they lack support on the left flank: while on the right with [Matteo] Politano they are very dangerous, on the left they are a bit lacking,” he added.
“On Sunday, he tried with [David] Neres, but it took De Bruyne’s insight.”
De Bruyne, who left Manchester City at the end of the 2024-25 campaign and signed for Napoli on a free, played a key part in Rasmus Hojlund’s winner against Genoa.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/QTkRnjM