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Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has undergone a successful heart procedure after being diagnosed with a mild, benign arrhythmia.

The Napoli midfielder will miss the club’s Champions League opener against Arsenal, but head coach Massimiliano Allegri expects him to be back after the September/October international break.

McTominay was taken off in the second half of Napoli’s 2-1 home defeat to Como in August.

Napoli later confirmed that the 29-year-old needed a corrective procedure for an arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.

The intervention was an ablation procedure rather than surgery in the conventional sense. Ablation involves inserting a fine needle to remove or destroy the tissue responsible for the abnormal electrical signals.

It had previously been reported that McTominay was due to undergo the procedure.

The Athletic reported that the procedure was carried out at Spire Manchester Hospital.

Napoli confirmed the result in a statement: “The operation was a complete success. McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”

Allegri also ruled Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa out of the Arsenal fixture, leaving Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka and Antonio Bergara as his available midfield options.

De Bruyne has come off the bench in each of Napoli’s opening three league matches, but Allegri indicated that the Belgian is likely to start against Arsenal.

McTominay came through United’s academy before establishing himself in the senior team. His physical presence, late runs into the box and knack for scoring important goals became key parts of his game.

The Scotland international then left Old Trafford for Napoli in 2024, starting the next chapter of a career that had previously been spent entirely with the Red Devils.

His current situation mirrors that of United defender Noussair Mazraoui, who underwent the same heart procedure last year before returning to action.

For the moment, Napoli have provided a clear initial recovery schedule: McTominay will rest for two weeks before being allowed to resume training. His exact return date will depend on how that process progresses.

The successful procedure is the most important development, and United supporters will now hope to see their former midfielder back on the pitch after the international break.

McTominay’s heart ablation procedure was successful.

He will rest for two weeks before resuming training.

The midfielder will miss Napoli’s match against Arsenal.

His return is expected after the international break.