Scott McTomina, who joined Napoli from Manchester United this season, was again decisive in Friday's Serie A round of 38 title tie, with his barb helping his side break the deadlock, before another veteran Red Devils player, Romelu Lukaku, sealed the win with a 2-0 win over Cagliari to lift the Serie A trophy.
McTominay and his team-mates knew that if their team won, the title would be in their hands. They had drawn two in a row and were therefore a little nervous even against mid-table Cagliari. However, Wheat was known as the "Soul of the Team" during the Red Devils era because he always stepped up when it mattered.
When teammate Matteo Politano crossed, McTominay rose to his feet, and Berbatov and Mata possessed him and opened the door to victory with a stunning scissor kick. The 28-year-old Scottish titan goal ignited a wild celebration at the Maradona Stadium as McTominay was surrounded by his team-mates and bowed.
In the second half, the Neapolitans' celebration party really began after Romelu Lukaku scored in the first half to crush the opponent and extend the lead. After the game, Wheat burst into tears and collapsed on the grass. It was the first league title of his career and he was also voted Player of the Season by Serie A officials with 12 goals and four assists, making Napoli's £25 million transfer the best signing in Europe this season.
Wheat said excitedly after the race, "I don't know what to say. You know, it's unbelievable, and every player on the team has made sacrifices for it. It's also a deserved title from the fans, who have supported us from day one. For me, it's a dream to have this experience."
The move was undoubtedly a success for Scott McTominay, who has not been considered a regular in the past two years, despite scoring 10 goals in a single season for United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ten Hag chose to sell it for pure profit, but it made him who he was. In Naples, wheat can do anything, not only scoring goals, assists, but even taking free kicks and hitting a Beckham-style scimitar!
Coach Antonio Conte also repaid his manager's trust by changing the style of play to a three-centre-back for the sake of wheat and putting him in a more attacking position, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 34 Serie A games. After a fantastic season, the Manchester United Academy midfielder has become a favourite among Napoli fans, just like Maradona.
A pizza in Naples, named directly after McTominay. Italian fans tattooed his head, waved the Scottish flag, wore plaid skirts and even built shrines for him! They gave the wheat "McFratm", which means brother in Naples.
I'm McGobor Bunker! In response to the fans' affection, Wheat said: "My Italian is okay and understandable, but I have to speak more confidently, it's not easy. But I can feel a lot of love. Festeggiamo, andiamo (Let's celebrate)!"
Ironically, apart from Napoli's two biggest contributors to this season's title, Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku, who were abandoned by Manchester United, manager Antonio Conte was also a candidate for the Red Devils at one point. However, the club's hierarchy believed that he was prone to internal conflicts and ultimately did not choose him to coach. As a result, Conte now leads Napoli to win the Serie A title again, while Manchester United's internal problems have not been resolved, and the four major ones are empty this season, ranking 16th in the Premier League.
It is reported that many players in Manchester United's squad are the target of Napoli's scouting, especially the three strikers Garnacho, Hojlund and Zilkze. Seeing the success of Wheat and Romelu Lukaku in Naples, these players who have struggled at Old Trafford are already yearning.
In particular, the 20-year-old Argentine winger Garnacho, who has been at odds with Amorim openly after the Europa League final, has been closely watched by Napoli, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and teams in the Bundesliga and Saudi Arabia's Pro League. Among them, Napoli had an offer of £40 million in January that was rejected, and Manchester United were rumored to want £60 million. It has been reported that Antonio Conte's side will make an offer of £50 million and Garnacho is open to joining the team, especially if Conte can commit to regular playing time.
Garnacho has a long-term contract with Manchester United until 2028, but the possibility of his departure is rising, and as an Academy player, the proceeds from the sale of his transfer fee will be the club's net profit, just like McTominay. Former club Atletico Madrid is also a team Garnacho would like to join, who admires Diego Simeone's coaching skills and believes his style of play suits the style of play of the Argentine compatriot.
As for Hojlund and Zilkze, if they join Napoli, they have a chance to succeed the 32-year-old Romelu Lukaku. Conte wants to rejuvenate his squad and prove in next season's Serie A and Champions League that he knows more than just "playing on a single line". Manchester United's two centre-forwards, who have spent more than £100 million to bring in from Serie A, are unlikely to turn down the call of the reigning Italian champions.