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Jose Mourinho Reveals What He Told Scott McTominay As Former Man United Duo Reunite In Benfica’s Win Over Napoli
Jose Mourinho has lifted the lid on his warm reunion with Scott McTominay after Benfica’s Champions League victory over Napoli, revealing what the two discussed and why the Scotland international left him with a special gift.
Mourinho, now managing Benfica, coached McTominay during his Manchester United spell and famously handed the midfielder his senior debut back in 2017. Their paths crossed again as Benfica defeated Napoli 2–0, thanks to goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro.
Friends Reunited
McTominay and Mourinho shared a brief conversation after the match, a moment that brought back memories of their time together at Old Trafford. The Benfica boss confirmed that he left the stadium with the midfielder’s match-worn shirt.
“The bag is mine. It’s McTominay’s shirt,” Mourinho said. “I gave him his debut. I benched Pogba and let him play. The least he could do was give me the shirt!”
Mourinho coached McTominay during the 2017–18 season, where the young midfielder became an important part of the squad, often being preferred to World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
Mourinho Praises McTominay And His Growth
The Portuguese manager revealed what he told the 29-year-old during their brief exchange:
“I told him that the kids I put in today in the final minutes are my ‘Next McTominay’.”
He highlighted 17-year-old Jose Neto, predicting a bright future for the youngster just as he once did for McTominay.
Despite the friendly moment, Mourinho said McTominay’s mood reflected the mentality he has carried throughout his career.
“He was sad because he lost. That’s Scott — that’s the nature of winning players.”
The Portuguese coach also praised McTominay’s success in Italy, acknowledging the midfielder’s recent achievement.
McTominay was crowned the 2025 Serie A Player of the Year, becoming the first Scottish player to earn that honor. He also helped Napoli win the league title last season, contributing a career-best 13 goals.
Mourinho Proud Of Benfica’s Performance
While McTominay left the stadium disappointed, Mourinho was delighted with Benfica’s display.
“We deserved it, we played an extraordinary match,” he said. “Benfica did an extraordinary job, controlling the game at all times.”
Benfica now sit on six points in their Champions League group, with Mourinho highlighting the difficulty of their schedule and the importance of the win.
“It was important to win today, otherwise the story would have ended.”
The victory keeps Benfica alive in the competition, and Mourinho will hope his young talents—his “next McTominays”—continue their development on the European stage.
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