GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Scott McTominay of Scotland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Getty Images
There aren’t many players in world soccer that have reached the heights scaled by Scott McTominay. Quite literally. The midfielder scored a sensational overhead kick measured at 2.53m to help send Scotland through to its first World Cup in 28 years on Tuesday, adding to a list of incredible achievements this year.
McTominay was Napoli’s main man as it won the Italian Serie A title last season. The Scottish midfielder netted 12 goals from midfield and was crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player. He was nominated for the Ballon d’Or and continues to produce at the highest level on a regular basis.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 17: Scott McTominay of Manchester United battles for possession with Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on December 17, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
All this a season-and-a-half after McTominay was sold by Manchester United for just €30m. At Old Trafford, the midfielder was the subject of regular criticism. Supporters saw him for what he wasn’t rather than what he was. McTominay’s remarkable rise since leaving United shows what he was always capable of.
It is with this in mind that McTominay might feel he has a point to prove in the Premier League. Recent speculation has linked the 28-year-old with a £62m switch to Everton. Arsenal has also been mentioned as a potential destination for McTominay with a return to Manchester United even talked about.
In the form of the last season-and-a-half, there’s no doubt McTominay would make an impact on the Premier League. Why, however, would he want to leave Napoli where he has made himself an icon? There are shrines to McTominay around the city. He is Antonio Conte’s primary difference-maker. Napoli has built around him.
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates victory following the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Getty Images
For a long time, McTominay was misunderstood as a soccer player. He was deployed in central defence for Scotland at Euro 2020. More than one Manchester United manager saw him as a defensive midfielder even if he never had the in-possession ability to truly thrive in that role.
More recently, though, McTominay has found his groove as a box-crashing chaos merchant who likes to make late runs from midfield and get into the opposition box. He is naturally attack-minded and has developed a knack of coming up with the goods when it matters most for club and country.
McTominay has already proved his doubters wrong by conquering Italian soccer and leading Scotland to the 2026 World Cup. He doesn’t need to return to the Premier League to bolster his achievements. Instead, McTominay should play where he is most comfortable. That has worked well for him over the last 18 months.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grahamruthven/2025/11/21/should-scott-mctominay-return-to-the-premier-league/
