Solskjaer worked with McTominay during his three-year stint in the Old Trafford dugout
Baffled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he can’t understand why Manchester United opted to cash in on Scott McTominay amid his rise to Napoli superstardom.
The Scotland hero has been the key man at the heart of Antonio Conte’s side this season – with the 28-year-old chipping with 12 goals and four assists in their push towards the Serie A title.
McTominay was again key as the table-toppers saw off Lecce on Saturday to maintain their narrow three-point advantage over Inter in the race for the Scudetto.
It comes less than a year after he was shown the door at Old Trafford – having joined the club as a youngster in 2002 and came up through the United academy – in a £25million departure.
Erik Ten Hag spoke of his desire to keep the midfielder but the former boss claimed Financial Fair Play rules played a part in his exit with the sale of homegrown players considered pure profit.
But Solskjaer – now in charge of Besiktas – remains stunned by the call from the Red Devils’ powerbrokers.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I have to say, how you can sell Scott is beyond me.
“Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100 per cent. Absolutely nailed on.”
It comes after Napoli director Giovanni Manna lauded the impact of McTominay on the title-charge.
He believes the player – nicknamed McFratm by the Neapolitan faithful – has seen his full potential unlocked by playing under four-time Serie A winner Conte.
He told DAZN: “Last season was his first at Manchester United with a lot of goals, I thought he could keep improving that part of his game.
“McTominay has become a complete player under the coach, as he was ready in terms of maturity, but needed to be more central to the team.
“He also worked with the coach tactically in training to become the player we see today.
“All the focus on Scott is pleasing, he is very happy in Naples too.”
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