RIO FERDINAND has slammed Manchester United’s transfer decision to sell Scott McTominay.
McTominay is set to join Napoli after the Italians struck a £25million deal to land the 27-year-old.
The departure of the academy graduate is set to facilitate the permanent signing of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who will reportedly travel to England today ahead of his transfer.
However, Red Devils legend Ferdinand has blasted the decision to sell the Scotland international.
Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, the 45-year-old said: “I look at Scott McTominay and not every player can be a star, a standout player.
“But to win the league you need the likes of John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher… you need a Julian Alvarez at Man City.
“They might not start every game but they were huge, you need those players and most of them know the DNA of the club, especially ones who have come through the academy, there’s a lot to be said for that.
“It really doesn’t sit well with me. To replace him you’re going to have to spend £30m or £40m and give him £150,000 a week probably.
“It’s not going to be cheap and it’s a gamble, you don’t know what you’re going to get, whereas with McTominay you know what you’re getting.
“He might not always be a 9/10 but invariably he’s a solid 7/10 and sometimes he will be an 8/10 and get you a goal.”
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McTominay has come off the bench in Man Utd’s two Premier League games this season.
He is yet to agree personal terms over a move to Antonio Conte‘s Serie A side, but has just one year left on his current deal at Man Utd.
A sell-on clause is also understood to have been included in the deal to take him to Naples, that if completed will be United’s sixth-biggest ever sale.
McTominay had his most prolific goalscoring season at the club last time around with ten goals.
Overall he has made 255 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals and adding eight assists.
Following the win at Fulham, boss Erik ten Hag said on McTominay: “I am so pleased to have him in my squad, the type of person, such a huge impact on the team, team performances, team spirit.
“And he is playing more in the advanced position that suits him better.
“He is so important to making goals in my team. I am very happy to have him in my squad.”
Despite his praise, Ten Hag has taken more of a back seat in transfer decision making at the club following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
However, he did manage to keep his transfer veto as part of his contract extension.
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered more misery on the seaside as they lost again at the Amex.
It was almost all so different for the Red Devils as, at 1-1, fans celebrated what they thought was a winner – only for the goal to be ruled out in a bonkers offside call.
And Joao Pedro pounced to snatch the three points for Brighton deep into added time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated United’s stars…
ANDRE ONANA – 4/10
Not convincing from a goalkeeper we know can perform with the best in this league.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Has been a good upgrade on Wan-Bissaka judging by his opening performances in a United shirt.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 4
Was caught ball watching for Danny Welbeck’s opener, and was rendered useless after letting it run past him twice.
Improved in the second half with some crucial blocks and was decent in terms of building from the back, but his error may have cost his team three points.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 5
Not a particularly noticeable performance from ‘The Butcher’ in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for the opening goal.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Was unlucky not to have an assist in the first half, but played well and put the team on his back at times.
Made a crucial goal line block early on in the second half to deny Brighton a two-goal lead and played some good crosses throughout.
CASEMIRO – 6
Stepped into tackles well when required and is having something of a resurgence at the start of this season – doesn’t look as off the pace as he did last campaign.
His final ball was disappointing at times, but overall a solid showing.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Composure personified, Kobbie played like a midfielder well beyond his years.
Was always on hand to break up play, a la N’Golo Kante, but showed a calmness and ability on the half-turn which really puts him up there with the best in the league – a great performance let down by that of his teammates.
MASON MOUNT – 5
Didn’t play badly in the first half, but also added nothing really going forward for this Man Utd team.
Hooked at half-time for the more threatening Joshua Zirkzee.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Had a goal ruled out in the first half after he had persisted brilliantly to head home.
A little unlucky but it was still far from the finest Marcus Rashford performance we have seen, he looked a little low on confidence before being hooked for the more confident Garnacho.
AMAD DIALLO – 8
Had a great chance to open the scoring early on in the game as he arrived at the back post, but it wasn’t quite at the right height for him.
The young winger clearly has bundles of ability, and bagged the equaliser with a fine cut inside and finish with his left foot.
Worth a note that after losing his mother it takes a hell of a man to even be out on that pitch at 22-years-old. Well played Amad, we are with you.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Cut a frustrated figure up front for Man Utd in the first half before thinking he’d bagged an assist when Alejandro Garnacho tapped home, only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
Just wasn’t his day today, but still created chances for his team and looked the most likely source of a winner for the Red Devils.
SUBS:
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (MASON MOUNT, 45) – 4
His only real action of note in the game was denying his team the winning goal.
Alejandro Garnacho had done the hard work and was about to give Man Utd the lead, only for Zirkzee to slide in and see it ruled out for offside.
His mistake did display an eagerness to score, but it was an error which cost his side nonetheless.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (MARCUS RASHFORD, 65) – 6
Did his job well in replacing Marcus Rashford and adding the end product which was needed by Erik ten Hag, but was robbed of a goal by his teammate as aforementioned.
Looks a danger whenever he plays on that left hand side, but after the goal that never was he was well defended for the remaining minutes.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY (BRUNO FERNANDES, 79) – 5
Bought on as a target man once again to try and get the winner for United, he wasn’t really provided with many opportunities in just over 10 minutes to really do that.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT (HARRY MAGUIRE, 79) – 5
Wasn’t really given enough of a chance to show what he is all about, but it’s minutes in the tank for the new man and he did what was asked of him after coming off the bench.
ANTONY (AMAD DIALLO, 90) – 5
In fairness to him, made a good run as soon as he entered the pitch and crossed well for Scott McTominay.
However, he wasn’t given enough time to make any significant impact.
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