Scott McTominay taking banned substances

Scott McTominay has experienced almost every emotion football can offer since leaving Manchester United.

However, his career has now taken an unusual turn involving a banned substance.

The Scotland international spent more than two decades at United after joining the academy as a child.

He eventually made 255 senior appearances and scored 29 goals.

Often asked to perform disciplined midfield roles at Old Trafford, McTominay’s attacking qualities exploded after his 2024 move to Napoli.

He scored 12 Serie A goals during his debut campaign as Napoli won the title, while McTominay was named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player and earned a place among the 30 nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Football, however, has strict anti-doping regulations and United know better than most how damaging such cases can appear.

Rio Ferdinand was famously suspended for eight months in 2003 after missing a drugs test while playing for the Red Devils.

However, he later provided a sample which tested negative.

Former United defender Jaap Stam also tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone shortly after leaving Old Trafford for Lazio in 2001, receiving a suspension.

McTominay’s situation is dramatically different – and there is no suggestion whatsoever that he has committed a doping offence.

Scott McTominay taking banned medication

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that McTominay is currently taking anticoagulant medication which is prohibited under sporting regulations, temporarily preventing him from receiving medical clearance to compete.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna explained that the medication follows McTominay’s successful ablation procedure in Manchester on September 8 to address a mild benign arrhythmia.

Manna said Scott McTominay requires 28 days to regain sporting eligibility because of the medication and is expected to spend two weeks resting before professing through non-contact activity.

Napoli had already confirmed the operation was successful.

The current calculation points towards October 6 as a possible return date, although Manna stressed recovery could take longer if required.

Crucially, the substance is being taken for legitimate medical reasons following surgery.

McTominay has not failed a drugs test, and the enforced wait is instead part of the medical and regulatory process surrounding his recovery.