Gianfranco Zola argues former Man Utd star is among 'best signings of the last summer,' he's baffled by decision

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has raised question marks around Manchester United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay to Serie A side Napoli in the summer.

Scott McTominay came through the Manchester United youth academy and the Scottish midfielder has been a maintain stay within the first-team squad.

The 27-year-old former United star lifted a Europa League trophy, an FA Cup and a League Cup at Old Trafford before his summer exit from the Premier League club.

United agreed to sell McTominay, who made 255 senior appearances for the Red Devils, to Italian club Napoli for a £25.7m transfer fee in August.

McTominay was expected to have his playing time limited at United after the Red Devils made a move for Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

Erik ten Hag, who was sacked as United manager in October, had been a big fan of McTominay and previously expressed his desire to keep the Scotsman at the club.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim tipped to shake-up Man Utd star’s career with major position change, newfound attitude is long overdue

Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Zola on Man Utd’s McTominay transfer sale

One benefit for Manchester United from the Scott McTominay sale was giving them more wiggle room within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

MORE UNITED STORIES

However, Rio Ferdinand was among one of the outspoken critics behind the sale, with the United legend valuing what McTominay brought to the first-team squad.

McTominay, who inked a deal with Napoli until 2028, has made 10 appearances for Napoli across all competitions and has netted three times and picked up two assists.

The Napoli star has started in eight of his nine Serie A matches in the 2024-25 campaign under manager Antonio Conte.

Gianfranco Zola has claimed that Napoli made one of the “best signings of the last summer” and the sale of McTominay has baffled people in England.

Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, he said: “He is among the best signings of the last summer.

“Here in England, they can’t understand how Man United could let him go. Perhaps it was a decision tied to the Financial Fair Play, but they haven’t digested it.”

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho could reunite with Man Utd star at Fenerbahce in January transfer swoop, player is on ‘agenda’ of two clubs

McTominay doesn’t ‘pay attention’ to noise

McTominay admitted that he is “enjoying” his football at the moment and the Scotland international played down the noise around his summer transfer.

“I don’t read the newspapers or social media,” he told The Times last week.

“That’s something I stay well away from. There’s no reason for me to pay attention to that.

“The past is the past. I’m enjoying my football and just want to do everything in my powers to push my team higher up the table and do my best for my manager in Italy as well.”

Click here to read article