Scott McTominay has opened up on his final words to then-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as he ended a 22-year association with the Red Devils in the summer.
The Scotland star completed a £25.7million transfer to Serie A giants Napoli, having often been the lightening rod for criticism at United under Ten Hag.
Since arriving in Naples, the 28-year-old has had a new lease on life, scoring three goals and providing three assists for Antonio Conte's title chasers. The decision to swap Manchester for the south of Italy is proving to be an astute one and the midfielder revealed that his intention to 'look out for number one' drove his desire for change.
McTominay claimed that he told Ten Hag as much during a difficult final day at Carrington, despite the Dutchman's preference that he stay at Old Trafford.
'On my last day, I had to go and see everyone and it was not easy to say goodbye. But that's football,' he told BBC Scotland. 'That's the life. I spoke to him [Ten Hag]. He expressed his thoughts on the situation.
'I said, "listen it's my career, I am here to push myself on". In this situation, I have to look out for number one and go with my gut feeling of what I want to do in my career and not be held back by any other external factors. It was amicable.
'I love that football club to bits, they have been my life for 22 years, but I have moved on now. I am thoroughly enjoying myself here.'
McTominay has already become a favourite among the supporters of the 2023 Serie A winners, as Conte's side sit just two points off the top of the table after 16 matches.
'It was a big decision, but in some ways it was quite straightforward.,' he added. 'I saw the passionate fans, I saw the coach, I saw the players and I saw an opportunity. I took it. I didn't look back.
'It didn't take me long to make the decision because I knew that was what I wanted and I'll never have any regrets in my life. As soon as I put my mind to something I want to do it, that's it. There's no holding me back.'
The 'big decision' that befell McTominay has now passed to his former teammate Marcus Rashford, who sensationally revealed this week that he is ready for a 'new challenge'.
The 27-year-old was left out of United's squad for the Manchester derby win over rivals City on Sunday.
'‘When I leave it’s going to be “no hard feelings”. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person,' Rashford told former Times journalist Henry Winter.
'If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.'
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag last month, insisted that there is still a route for the academy graduate to remain with his boyhood club but a move in the upcoming January window or in the summer looks increasingly likely.
