Manchester United star finalizes transfer exit, leaving club legend Rio Ferdinand devastated

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has reached an agreement to join Napoli, a decision that has left Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand feeling frustrated.

United accepted an offer from the Serie A side worth around £25m earlier this week but Napoli still had to agree terms with the player himself.

McTominay was believed to be keen to stay at the club he first joined at the age of six but United essentially forced his hand, putting him up for sale as the summer transfer deadline approached.

If he was forced out of Old Trafford, reports claimed McTominay would have preferred to remain in the Premier League, with Fulham making an offer for the Scotland international earlier in the summer and West Ham failing with a move last year.

But Manchester United chose to sell the 27-year-old to Napoli and he will now look to impress in Italy for a club who won the Serie A title two years ago.

United permitted McTominay to travel to Naples on Tuesday to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on his new contract.

The news will not be well received by all connected to Manchester United, with several fans valuing the academy graduate and club legend Ferdinand recently complaining about the deal.

Asked about McTominay’s sale, Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: ‘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.’

McTominay made his Manchester United debut in 2017 under Jose Mourinho. He began to feature regularly the following season and amassed 255 appearances for the Red Devils, including more than 40 last term.

The Scottish midfielder will play under ex-Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte at Napoli, who are currently tenth in Serie A after two games.

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