A former teammate of Scott McTominay has publicly questioned Manchester United's decision to offload the Scotland international this summer.
McTominay, who joined United at the age of five, completed a £25 million switch to Napoli on Friday after weeks of speculation surrounding his future.
The 27-year-old has penned a four-year deal with the Serie A side.
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Erik ten Hag was very clear in his feelings towards the move. “I am very happy for him but it is a case of mixed feelings because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him,” he said.
“He is Man Utd in everything, he was so important for Man Utd, he was here for over 22 years but unfortunately it is the rules."
Ten Hag added: "Homegrown players bring more value and that is not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us.”
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After the deal was made official, McTominay's former teammate Nemanja Matic took to X, formerly Twitter, to give his thoughts.
Matic, who played alongside the Scotland international during his five-year spell at Old Trafford, has been a long-time fan of McTominay.
Speaking in 2020, Matic offered to mentor McTominay. "Scott knows that I am always there for him if he needs some advice, he is still learning," he told Sky Sports.
"I am happy with how he has progressed, he is improving. I've said already a few times that he will be a very important player for Manchester United in the future."
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Four years on and Matic has criticised United's decision to let him leave.
"My opinion is that #manutd made a mistake by selling Scott McTominay," wrote Matic, who currently plays for Ligue 1 side Lyon. "Today it is difficult to replace a player like him. [Antonio] Conte is smart man."
McTominay, meanwhile, is looking forward to a new challenge in Naples.
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"Whenever my career is done, I'll look back on this stage of my career with Manchester United. I've been here since I was five years old - with great gratitude," he told Manchester United's club media.
"I've got so much love with this football club and I'm just so so happy I've been able to experience some of its history and be part of that as a young player coming through as well.
"That's primarily why I wanted them to send a message, just to send my love. I've absolutely loved every minute of being at this football club. I'm just so grateful and thankful for the players, the coaching staff, managers and all the fans as well.
"I would not be in this position without them and my family. I'm going on to another stage in my career now, in Italy, and I'm really looking forward to relishing that and there's a different journey in my life that I'm going to go and embrace and take head-on.
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"If you'd said to me seven years ago coming into the first team that I'd be in this position today and had my family experienced some of our favourite moments at Old Trafford and away from home, I would have snapped your hand off."
He added: "I've absolutely loved it and I'm ready for a new challenge. I'm ready to go and embrace it and take it by storm. I've always follow the club and I want to see them win, I want them to do well."
Topics: Scott Mctominay, Manchester United, Premier League, Napoli, Nemanja Matic
Jack Kenmare