Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led Besiktas to a 1-0 win at Fenerbahce at the weekend in the Turkish Super League's former Manchester United boss derby. He also criticised his former club, the Red Devils, saying that the decision to purge Scott McTominay last summer was beyond his comprehension.
Scott McTominay was promoted from Manchester United's youth system in 2017 and was subsequently used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 28-year-old Scottish titan made 255 appearances and won the Europa League, League Cup and FA Cup. But Ten Hag and Sir Jim Ratcliffe sold him before the start of the season, and Napoli signed him for £25 million, and he has now become the darling of Maradona's stadium.
With 12 goals in their first season in Serie A, Antonio Conte's side are three points clear of Inter Milan with just three games remaining and have a chance of winning the title again. Ole Solskjaer says allowing the former Manchester United soul to move is an unconscionable move. "Scott [McTominay] and Fred, they're the kind of lads who work 100 per cent every day." Solskjaer said: "I don't understand how Manchester United can sell Scott.
Manchester United are seen to have sold Scott McTominay purely for financial reasons, and all transfer fees are net proceeds, which could greatly improve the club's financial performance and avoid breaching the Premier League's PSR profitability and sustainability rules. Not only that, but Wheat, who scored 10 goals last season and has a reasonable salary, is one of only a handful of players at United who can sell for a good price.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte publicly stated that Manchester United did not know how to use McTominay, did not give him a "main role", and only used him as a midfielder blue collar.
Conte said: 'I've always said you have to find a solution in your quest to score goals. Teams need to find co-ordination and tactical solutions to progress. I think McTominay is stronger than when he came from Manchester United and he's grown a lot here."
The Napoli boss continued: "I think he felt it himself, he got stronger and more knowledge. He has also reached this important age and understands the direction of his career. He's central in our team and he's never been the protagonist at Manchester United. I gave him that status, he grew a lot and is now all-round. Of course, other players have improved like him, otherwise we wouldn't have gotten the points we have."
Solskjaer has stressed that he does not want to see Manchester United sink, even though he has been out for four years. "Manchester United are my family and will always be a part of me," said the Norwegian, "and in football you don't have to feel sorry for anyone because we are honoured and absolutely 100 per cent privileged to work for a club like this. But for me, it's hard to accept because it's my family that's struggling. When you're watching Manchester United at the weekend, it's never easy."
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was pleased that his chosen captain Harry Maguire proved himself again in the Europa League against Athletic Bilbao, with his introduction of Bruno Fernandes also playing an important role.
Solskjaer added: "In my opinion, Harry [Maguire] has always been a leader and a fighter. When I signed him, I never doubted it, he walked through the door and became our captain. Bruno [Fernandes] is the other captain and both of them are top players and I'm happy for them. They and Victor [Lindelof] are probably the only people in the club who have been in contact with me since I left, so you want them to do their best."