The Scot has taken Italian football by storm since arriving from Old Trafford and was a most worthy winner of the league's MVP award

'The Special One' always said that Scott McTominay was a "special character". Jose Mourinho was so enamoured with the multi-talented midfielder, in fact, that he made up a prize to give to McTominay at Manchester United's end-of-season awards ceremony in 2018. It was such an impromptu decision that there wasn't even a proper trophy prepared for the Scot, so he ended up being presented with a candlestick holder!

It's an amusing anecdote, but it also rather sums up McTominay's time at Old Trafford – because not everyone was as appreciative of his ability as Mourinho. Indeed, an awful lot of supporters welcomed his sale to Napoli last summer, as they felt that McTominay, for all his drive and determination, simply wasn't good enough to play in midfield for a team with title-winning aspirations.

They couldn't have been more wrong, though, as Napoli have just won Serie A – and McTominay has been named the league's MVP for the starring role he's played in their shock Scudetto success.

Sliding-doors moment

It's incredible to think about it now, but had Atalanta not hijacked Napoli's deal for Marco Brescianini last August, the Partenopei may not have signed McTominay.

The failure to bring in a midfielder before the start of the Serie A season was a contributing factor to Antonio Conte's meltdown after the dismal opening-day defeat at Verona, with the infamously combustible coach carrying out an even-earlier-than-usual attack on his employers for their perceived failings in the transfer market.

However, sporting director Giovanni Manna kept working right up until deadline day and, on August 30, he managed to sign not one but two Scottish midfielders.

Advertisement'Beautiful thing'

Billy Gilmour, a €14 million (£12m/$16m) signing from Brighton, has proven a useful addition to the squad, particularly during the final few months of the season. McTominay, though, has become an idol at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, a player so popular that he can no longer walk the streets of Naples without being mobbed.

On one particular occasion, he entered a shop in the city centre and re-emerged minutes later to find more than 500 people waiting outside for him, desperate to get a glimpse of their team’s new talisman.

"It had never happened to me before in my career," McTominay told the t. "Both my girlfriend and I couldn't believe it. Every time people see me they are extraordinary, they want a photo and I want to repay them for their incredible love. It's a beautiful thing."

'Couldn't believe our eyes'

Manna had told McTominay about the fervour and warmth of Neapolitans when he travelled to the Scotland international's home in Manchester last summer to convince him to move to the Maradona. However, McTominay still wasn't prepared for the reception he received when he actually touched down in Naples after completing his €30m (£25m/$34m) transfer from United.

"When I got off the plane, my mother who was behind me had no idea that the fans were so passionate and affectionate," he told the . "We knew of their connection to the shirt, but we couldn't believe our eyes. It's a moment that I will remember for the rest of my days."

'Wanted to come to Napoli so much'

Another unforgettable moment would arrive in his very first appearance at the Maradona, when McTominay scored with his first touch of the ball just seconds after coming off the bench in a Coppa Italia clash with Palermo last September.

"It was very significant for me because I wanted to come to Napoli so much," he explained. "There were high expectations because a lot of money was spent and I wanted to give my best right away. I want to be a player who gives everything in every circumstance."

Unsurprisingly, that level of commitment immediately endeared him to the supporters, but it's also what made him such an ideal signing for Conte, who has always enjoyed great success with teams containing powerful, hard-running midfielders.

He transformed Juventus into a winning machine thanks in no small part to Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio, Chelsea's 2016-17 title triumph was fuelled by the work done in the engine room by Nenmajic Matic and N'Golo Kante, while Nicolo Barella's box-to-box brilliance played a pivotal role in Inter's Serie A win four years ago.

McTominay has been just as integral to Conte's success in Naples.