Dear Man United, this could've been us

In a perfect world - or at least the world in which Man United are in the place the club with such tradition deserves to be - many things would be the same as they are in this our world full of flaws.

Scott McTominay would probably express his full potential, score goals, and push his team towards the title. Yet, a few crucial details that are different create a clear line of distinction between the two worlds - one in which the Scot wears blue and the other, the ideal one, in which he shines in red.

Rescue plan that actually works - leave Old Trafford and run as fast as you can!

In the latter, McTominay would be a Man United star, pushing the club towards the Premier League title. Man United would battle against some Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, or Liverpool, though everyone would know the Red Devils had the best chances, as such a historic side could never be an underdog. The packed Old Trafford would sing songs dedicated to the club's son who'd spent over 20 years in Manchester, while the walls in the neighbourhood of the Theatre of Dreams would be adorned with his murals.

McTominay has his word on Man Utd fans' comments about him

But enough with the dreamland. Let's get back to reality.

Instead of his boyhood club, McTominay is pushing Napoli towards the Scudetto, scoring five goals in the last three Serie A clashes. In three Neapolitans' clean-sheet victories, the midfielder netted five out of six team's goals and - a little thanks to Inter Milan's severe downfall - brought Antonio Conte's crew to the verge of the title.

And when that title is the second in the past three seasons, but also the second since 1990 and the fourth in the club's history, Naples knows how to show respect and celebrate its heroes.

Two years ago, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen, and Luciano Spalletti were the ones wearing capes. If the ongoing campaign ends victoriously, Romelu Lukaku, Conte, and McTominay will be on the pedestal. Their murals will sit next to the legendary Diego Armando Maradona's near the stadium called after him.

Is that the pedestal McTominay dreamed of? Probably not. Did he deserve to achieve success with his beloved Man United? Absolutely. Still, this world is far from ideal, and so is football.

That's why one club's son found his luck in another country wearing different colours and (one of the reasons) why United are where they are at the moment. Looking at McTominay's case, perhaps they didn't deserve anything better.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 34

Sunday

Como - Genoa 1-0 (0-0)

/Strefezza 59/

Venezia - Milan 0-2 (0-1)

/Pulisic 5, Gimenez 90+5/

Fiorentina - Empoli 2-1 (2-0)

/Adli 7, Mandragora 25 - Fazzini 57/

Inter - Roma 0-1 (0-1)

/Soule 22/

Juventus - Monza 2-0 (2-0)

/Gonzalez 11, Kolo Muani 33/

Atalanta - Lecce 1-1 (0-1)

/Retegui 69 pen - Karlsson 29 pen/

Napoli - Torino 2-0 (2-0)

/McTominay 7,41/

Monday

19:30: (4.40) Udinese (3.40) Bologna (1.88)

21:45: (1.55) Lazio (4.10) Parma (6.25)

21:45: (2.65) Verona (3.05) Cagliari (2.90)

***odds are subject to change***