Ex-Manchester United defender Phil Jones has insisted that his former club’s sale of Scott McTominay is ultimately a loss.

United confirmed McTominay’s departure to join Napoli on transfer deadline day.

It’s believed that the Red Devils and Napoli reached an agreement at around the £25m mark.

McTominay scored 29 goals in 255 games for his boyhood club and had entered the final year of his contract, with United holding an option to extend that deal by a further one year.

The Scotland international’s final appearance for the Red Devils came against Brighton and Hove Albion when he came on from the bench for the final 11 minutes. United lost 2-1 at the Amex.

United sporting director Dan Ashworth clarified that McTominay’s sale was not purely motivated by the club’s need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) as the 27-year-old star also expressed a desire to leave for a new adventure.

Speaking to BBC Sport (via Football365), Jones – who shared a dressing room with the midfielder – said that McTominay was a positive influence at Old Trafford and will sorely be missed.

The former England international remarked, “I’m gutted. I love him. He’s a wonderful boy. He’s so good in and around the dressing room.”

“I think he’s got so much more quality than people give him credit for. He’s a lot better technically than what people give him credit for.”

“He arrives in the box at certain times and scores certain goals, as he showed last season for United and Scotland.”

Jones added, “I understand why he’s gone, in terms of the FFP (financial fair play rules), which I think is a bit of a travesty that we’re still having to sell homegrown talent because of FFP.”

“Maybe it needs to be looked at. I’m devastated he’s gone. He was an important part of the team. It’s going to be a loss – it is a huge loss for the team. But I’m delighted for him. I texted him yesterday and wished him good luck.”

Jones backed McTominay to succeed in Italy under the tutelage of Antonio Conte

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