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Louis SealeyPublished Aug 31, 2024, 5:36pm|Updated Aug 31, 2024, 5:38pm
Nemanja Matic believes Manchester United made a ‘mistake’ by selling Scott McTominay on transfer deadline day and says he will be ‘difficult to replace’.
McTominay finally left the club he first joined at the age of five, joining Napoli in a deal worth almost £26m.
The Scotland international made 255 first-team appearances for United, 43 of which came last season as he emerged as an influential player under Erik ten Hag.
But McTominay would have seen his game-time cut by the arrival of summer signing Manuel Ugarte so sealed a move to Naples to play under ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
Delivering his verdict on McTominay’s move away from Old Trafford, ex-Manchester United midfielder Matic said he was a ‘mistake’ to let him go and praised his former manager Conte for the good piece of business.
‘My opinion is that Man Utd made a mistake by selling Scott McTominay,’ he posted on X. ‘Today it is difficult to replace a player like him. [Antonio] Conte is a smart man.’
Matic made almost 200 appearances for Manchester United following a move from Premier League rivals Chelsea in 2017.
McTominay wished United all the best following his emotional departure and said he would have ‘snapped your hand off’ for the Old Trafford career he had.
‘I’ve absolutely loved it and I’m very, very grateful for the football club and I’m ready for a new challenge and I’m ready to go and embrace it and take it by storm,’ he said.
‘I want to see Manchester United win, I want to see us do really, really well and I’ll be watching as well. Thank you for having me and I have enjoyed every minute.’
Manchester United, meanwhile, said in a heartfelt statement: ‘Good luck, Scott, arrivederci and thank you for the fabulous memories.’
McTominay’s new club Napoli have taken four points from their first two games of the new season. They return to Serie A action on Saturday evening against Parma.
New Manchester United signing Ugarte joins the Premier League giants from PSG.He has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford after completing a deal worth more than £50m.
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