Manchester United youth product and midfielder "my boy" Scott McTominay (29, Napoli), who was favored by manager Jose Mourinho (62) at Benfica, has fully blossomed after being named MVP in Italy.
The British Mirror on the 10th (Korean time) highlighted the special connection between McTominay, whom Mourinho once called "my boy," as Benfica (Portugal) and Napoli (Italy) prepared to face each other on the 11th in the sixth matchday of the 2025-2026 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League group stage.
McTominay is the central midfielder Mourinho promoted to the first team during his time at Manchester United. At the time, he appeared in 27 matches across all competitions, increasing his presence, and after the season ended he personally received the manager's choice player of the year award on Mourinho's recommendation.
In a 2024 interview with Rio Ferdinand Presents, Mourinho said, "The players I liked most were those who gave everything," adding, "players who gave everything they possibly could, they are 'my boy.'"
He added, "When you debut a kid, he becomes my kid for life. That's how I feel," and recalled, "McTominay was one of the players I liked most. He was a player who gave everything. That was why I chose him over Paul Pogba for the Champions League match against Sevilla. He was 'my boy.'"
McTominay also said on Manchester United's official channel in 2018, "Mourinho made me humble and helped me become a better person in training," adding, "When I first joined the team he advised, 'players must like you.' That advice still gives me great strength."
However, McTominay did not firmly establish himself at Manchester United after Mourinho left. Amid inconsistent team performance and managerial changes his role fluctuated, and ultimately he moved to Napoli on Aug. 4, 2024, signing a four-year contract to take on a new challenge.
That challenge quickly paid off. Under manager Antonio Conte, McTominay was reborn as an attacking midfielder and in his first season he captured both the Serie A title and the league's most valuable player (MVP) award.
At the awards ceremony McTominay said, "Moving to Napoli was an easy decision. I came to the right place," and added, "I can't believe I'm receiving an award like this here. I'm grateful to the team, the staff and my teammates. I'm building a special relationship with Napoli, and there are so many special things."
The talent Mourinho first recognized at Manchester United ultimately fully bloomed at Napoli. McTominay has now grown from "Mourinho's boy" into the Serie A MVP, and the two are ready to write a new chapter in the Champions League.
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