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Louis SealeyPublished Aug 30, 2024, 8:32pm|Updated Aug 30, 2024, 8:35pm
Erik ten Hag has been accused of ‘talking rubbish’ after a Manchester United star completed a deadline-day move away from Old Trafford.
United were preparing to unveil new signing Manuel Ugarte on transfer deadline day and explored a shock, late move for Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling.
The Red Devils have also been busy trimming Ten Hag’s squad, sanctioning moves for several starlets and selling first-team midfielder Scott McTominay to Napoli.
McTominay signed for the Serie A side for £25.7m, in the process leaving a club he first joined at the age of five.
The Scotland international made 255 appearances for his boyhood club but was expected to find his game-time reduced following the arrival of PSG star Ugarte.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Ten Hag claimed he was reluctant to lose McTominay, insisting he was ‘so important for our team’.
‘I’m very happy for him,’ Ten Hag said. ‘It’s also [a good deal] for us, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him because he’s Manchester United in everything.
‘He was so important for our team, for Manchester United, but unfortunately it’s the rules.
‘We have to discuss the rules, when you have to sell and obviously homegrown and academy players bring more value, that’s not the right thing to do.
‘But I think for everyone, for all parts it’s a good deal. For Scott, he’s happy with it, for Napoli a very good player, but also for us.’
But ex-Premier League midfielder Michael Brown believes Ten Hag was ‘talking a load of rubbish’ and has criticised the Dutchman’s handling of McTominay.
‘I think Erik ten Hag was talking a load of rubbish when he said he was disappointed at Scott McTominay’s departure,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘McTominay has given everything to Manchester United and whenever there has been a chance to leave him out, Ten Hag has.
‘He keeps getting treated like the homegrown player rather than the player he is. The manager has not treated him right.
‘I get certain other players have to play at times – but McTominay has not been treated right.’
More to follow…
MORE : Crystal Palace agree deadline day deal to sign Chelsea outcast
MORE : Man Utd confirm another midfield signing ahead of Manuel Ugarte unveiling
MORE : Sky Sports apologise after man holding ‘rubber testicles’ interrupts deadline day coverage
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