SCOTT McTominay continued his sensational campaign with Napoli with a wondergoal on Monday night.
McTominay bagged a brace as Napoli beat Empoli 3-0 to put themselves within three points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
The former Manchester United midfielder has been tearing it up since his £25.7m move to the Italian giants in the summer.
And his performance against Empoli was yet another example of why Man Utd should have kept hold of the 28-year-old amid their turgid campaign.
The 6ft 3in powerhouse – who has been learning Italian since the move – opened the scoring for Napoli with a surging run through midfield and a long-range drilled effort that rippled into the bottom corner.
Before adding his second, and Napoli’s third, with a superb header that gave Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez no chance at keeping it out.
The finishes were McTominay’s seventh and eighth Serie A goals of the season – meaning no Man Utd player has scored more league goals than the Scotland international this season.
His overall performance was borderline flawless too, as he boasted 100 per cent success rate on long balls and tackles, as well as 89 percent pass accuracy.
His display was so impressive it had fans calling for him to be awarded football’s most prestigious individual prize.
One wrote: “Ballon d’Or for McTominay”.
While another added: “McTominay and Lukaku literally deserve a Ballon d’Or shout”.
But it’s not just football fans that have been singing the praises of the former Premier League star.
Ex-Napoli and West Ham hero Paolo Di Canio said earlier this season: “I would go to Manchester United to arrest all the directors – how do you give McTominay away?”
And AC Milan legend Joe Jordan reckons McTominay is on course to become one of Britian’s greatest ever exports to the Serie A.
He told SunSport: “I was really surprised United let Scott go during the summer. I don’t know all the circumstances but I thought he was doing OK at United. But, at Napoli, he’s lifted his game to another level.
“His form is consistent, his front play is good, he’s scoring goals and providing assists.”
Even Napoli boss Antonio Conte has publicly praised the recruitment team in Naples for swooping up McTominay.
“We did well with Scott because he was not a starter at Manchester United, but I already knew him very well and we worked under the radar to bring him here,” he said.
“Of course, everyone is eager to prove themselves and I am glad that we got it right choosing McTominay.”
McTominay’s eight goals and four assists in Serie A this season have helped propel Napoli into a title race.
While Man Utd are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League in his absence, having won just 10 of their 32 league games so far this season.
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