Ex-Manchester United Outcasts Guide Napoli To Serie A Title

Former Man United stars Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku were Napoli's heroes as Antonio Conte's side seal the Serie A title with a 2-0 win over Cagliari.

The Old Trafford discards were both on the scoresheet on Friday night, McTominay opening the scoring with a stunning strike, as Napoli beat Inter Milan to the title.

McTominay has been a key man in Napoli's title triumph and was crowned the Serie A Player of the Year minutes after he was spotted in tears at the final whistle as he was mobbed by his joyous team-mates according to the Daily Mail.

Conte has used the Scotland star in a more advanced midfield position than his previous role at Man United and has been rewarded with 12 goals this season from the 28-year-old.

It marks a stunning turnaround for the McTominay, who was deemed surplus to requirements by United chiefs just 12 months ago when he was sold to Napoli for a fee of £25million which now looks like a bargain.

Lukaku, another United reject but signed from Chelsea in August, has been almost as influential for Napoli.

The newly-crowned champions, who have now made it two titles in three years, were greeted with fireworks as the southern Italian side celebrated in style.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Conte, who was crowned Serie A Coach of the Year, becomes the first man to win the Scudetto with three different teams.

Napoli went into their home match holding a one-point advantage over Champions League finalists Inter.

Inter did their job by beating Cesc Fabregas' Como 2-0 but it wasn't enough to see the Scudetto go to Napoli for the second time in three years.

It is Napoli's fourth Serie A title and caps an impressive turnaround after the Partenopei finished 10th during a dismal title defence last season. Diego Maradona led Napoli to its first two titles in 1987 and 1990, before a lean period for the southern Italian club.

The 2023 team inspired by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia clinched with five rounds to spare.

It is a bitter blow for Inter eight days before their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain but Simone Inzaghi did at least rest most of his usual starting lineup, including top strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.