Jose Mourinho reveals the GIFT that Scott McTominay gave him after his Napoli facet have been crushed by Benfica: ‘I benched Paul Pogba for him’
Jose Mourinho revealed that he was given Scott McTominay‘s matchday shirt after his Benfica side overcame the Scotland international’s Napoli in their Champions League clash on Wednesday evening.
The European veteran manager enjoyed a reunion of sorts with the player he gave his Champions League debut to while at Manchester United, coincidentally in a tie against Benfica in 2017.
Mourinho played McTominay 31 times during his stint at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, and the bond the two men formed during that period is one that, in the Portuguese manager’s mind, has endured.
During his post-match press conference, Mourinho was questioned by a journalist as to whether he had brought a present for the press pack to their meeting.
‘The bag is mine,’ Mourinho informed them, before revealing it contained McTominay’s shirt.
‘I put him in, I benched Paul Pogba for him at Manchester United,’ Mourinho added wryly. ‘The least he could do was give me his shirt.
Jose Mourinho revealed that Scott McTominay had a gift for him as the two met in the Champions League on Wednesday
The Portuguese manager gave the Scotland international his Champions League debut in 2017
‘He was sad because he had lost, but this is Scott; this is the nature of winning players.
‘He spoke to me for five minutes, but he was down in the dumps.
‘He’s very happy at Napoli; he’s having a good moment. We have a strong bond; he’ll still remember me when he’s 70.’
McTominay has been flourishing in Naples on the heels of his move from Man United at the start of the 2024-25 season.
The 29-year-old was a major player in Antonio Conte’s side claiming their fourth Scudetto, and was named his new league’s Most Valuable Player at the close of the campaign.
His former team-mate Rasmus Hojlund has since moved to the Amalfi Coast on loan in a bid to replicate his success, but neither of the former Red Devils were able to get on the scoresheet as the hosts kept them at bay in their 2-0 victory.
McTominay and Co will hope their European fortunes turn around at pace, with the side perilously close to failing to progress from the League Phase.
Napoli sit in 24th in the standings, just two places above the cut-off, and face a tricky test against Premier League opponents Chelsea at the end of January in their final League Phase tie.
