Club boss subtly slams United over treatment of former duo now flourishing under him

Napoli boss Antonio Conte has seemingly criticised Manchester United over their handling of Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, suggesting he has now revived the pair. McTominay and Hojlund doing well Since his United exit in the summer of 2024, McTominay’s fortunes have dramatically improved. He led Napoli to the Serie A title in his debut season, earning himself the MVP award and being named in the Team of the Season. Currently considered one of the best midfielders in Europe, McTominay also played a leading role as Scotland booked their place in next year’s World Cup. Hojlund, on the other hand, left United during the most recent transfer window and just like McTominay, is enjoying an uptick in form. The Danish striker has already notched four goals in 11 Serie A appearances – the same return he managed in 32 Premier League games for United last term. The pair started for Napoli on Monday as they beat Bologna 2-0 to win the Italian Supercup. David Neres bagged both goals. United have often been accused of mishandling their former stars, including McTominay and Hojlund, and Conte appeared to add fuel to this in his post-match remarks. Conte’s swipe Conte said [as quoted by World Football Talk], “If we look at how many chances we created, we could have been far more effective. We played a great match in every aspect. The first goal was a moment of brilliance from a champion.” “The other situations were carefully designed to put the opponents under pressure with many players around the box.” He added, “Højlund and McTominay were not playing at Manchester United, so there must be a reason given the work done by me and my staff.” “I believe our job is to expand a player’s knowledge and make him stronger.” “I invest a lot in that, and I think every player I have worked with has always come out improved technically, tactically, and mentally.” “We lacked clinical finishing against a strong team, but it remains a great performance, and I can only be happy and proud.” Earlier this month, McTominay shared his thoughts on these suggestions and firmly refuted that United are to blame for players underperforming at Old Trafford, only to deliver elsewhere. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!