Paolo Di Canio says Man Utd chiefs 'should be arrested' over transfer decision
Manchester United sold Scott McTominay to Napoli during the summer transfer window and former Juventus and Napoli forward Paolo Di Canio cannot believe the move was sanctioned
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorPaolo Di Canio believes Manchester United chiefs should be arrested after deciding to sell Scott McTominay in the summer.
The Scotland international left Old Trafford for Napoli in a £27.5million deal as the Red Devils signed Manuel Ugarte in a bid to strengthen their midfield. McTominay featured as a substitute in United's opening two Premier League matches before making the move.
The 27-year-old is already winning people over in Italy however. The midfielder has recorded a goal and assist in his last two games under Antonio Conte and Napoli sit top of Serie A.
Erik ten Hag had mixed feelings about McTominay's exit and following a promising start, former Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Charlton striker Di Canio is perplexed at the decision to allow him to leave.
"I would go to those at Manchester United to arrest all the directors – 'how can you give away McTominay?’" Di Canio said in an interview with Il Mattino.
McTominay, whose diet was rumoured to be under observation following the transfer, has been impressed by new boss Conte. The ex-Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan manager has already added to his game.
"Conte's game is very flexible," McTominay said. "You don't play in just one position; you have to learn to do many things and absorb the right information to help your teammates achieve results. I feel very comfortable in the position the coach is playing me, it helps me reach the goals we set.
"I've played in more than one position on the field but in midfield, I've both attacked and defended as number 8s do tactically. I've had the chance to occupy more areas of the field, but always with the aim of helping my teammates.
"We have a lot of confidence in the group. We look at the next game after each match and keep the good things we do behind us. We're making progress, listening to the coach and staff, and doing what they ask of us."
Under Conte's stewardship, Di Canio believes that Napoli can secure another title in Italy's top-flight. The 56-year-old reckons Juventus and Inter's current form is helping but that Gli Azzurri have the quality to challenge regardless.
"If Inter and Juventus continue like this, with these slowdowns, no problems," he said. "They can do it even if the others improve but on the condition that Napoli grows in offensive manoeuvres, in defensive work, in nastiness for the entire ninety minutes.
"Conte has always done this – he arrives in broken environments, destroyed by the past, full of disappointment and puts them back in their place, resuscitates them. He fixes everything in a short time.
"Today he is this, at Juventus, at Chelsea, at Inter. He doesn’t arrive after a Champions League or a title, he arrives where there are ruins, where everything has to be built from the foundations. He is a magician, in managing to win where the year before there were only ruins.’
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