Zola slams Manchester United over McTominay decision: ‘I don’t get it’ | OneFootball

Gianfranco Zola has questioned Manchester United’s decision to sell academy product Scott McTominay to Napoli during the summer transfer window, describing him as a ‘complete footballer’ after his recent brace in Monday night’s 3-0 win over Empoli.

McTominay has made an overwhelmingly positive impression since leaving Old Trafford to join the Partenopei in Serie A this summer.

The Scotland international is enjoying his best season ever in terms of league goals with eight so far in 2024-25. His best goalscoring season previously came in 2023-24, when he hit seven in United’s Premier League campaign.

The 28-year-old has proved invaluable to Antonio Conte at the Stadio Maradona: He has lined up as a starter in every Serie A game since his debut in September, aside from one single match against Milan at the end of March when he was ruled out through illness.

Zola slams Man United over McTominay decision

NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 14: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Empoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 14, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Italy, Napoli and Premier League star Zola weighed in with his opinion on Manchester United’s decision to get rid of McTominay last summer.

“Certain choices will never be understood,” Zola told the Pink Paper.

“I want to believe that Manchester United had to sell him because of financial fair play reasons, otherwise, I don’t get it. He’s a complete footballer, he knows how to stay on the pitch and do everything, including scoring a lot of goals.”

Though Napoli are three points behind in the Serie A title race, Zola believes that the Partenopei are still very much in the race to win the 2024-25 Scudetto.

“The 3-0 win over Empoli removed any doubts,” he explained. “The season is not over, it’s still alive, it remains completely open, even if those in front are better off.”