Everyone at Manchester United reportedly agreed that Scott McTominay should’ve stayed put this window but the Scotsman was sold for his 'pure profit' value.
Erik ten Hag's side have been busy in the transfer market over the summer, signing a new forward in Joshua Zirkzee and defensive reinforcements in Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. Manuel Ugarte also arrived to shore up their midfield, where he may have expected to compete with academy graduate McTominay.
The Scotland international, who had been at United since the age of five, was one of their better performers last season and is said to have been a popular figure in the dressing room as well as highly rated by staff members at the club.
Despite this, McTominay was sold to Antonio Conte's Napoli for a reported £25million, which paved the way for the club to splash out £42.5m on Ugarte.
The Independent report that Ten Hag, staff, and fellow players were hopeful he'd remain at Old Trafford. However, due to the value that academy products hold regarding profit and sustainability rules, McTominay was allowed to leave.
Ten Hag was said to view McTominay as the '12th best man' at Old Trafford. However, he held 'pure profit' status because he was an academy player for whom United didn't pay a fee. Against the books, this would mean that any amount generated from his sale would count entirely as profit when the Premier League's PSR is considered.
United found themselves constrained by previous contracts this summer and so had to sell if they wanted to invest in their squad. It's also claimed that McTominay had his own increasing wage demands for his next deal, which also played a role in their decision to sell when Napoli met his valuation.
Ten Hag revealed he wished he could've kept hold of the midfielder, but due to his financial status, it was the right move for both parties to let the 27-year-old depart.
"I am very happy for him, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him," Ten Hag stated in the build-up to his side's pivotal clash against Liverpool. "It is a little bit mixed.
"He is Manchester United in everything, he was so important for Manchester United. He was here for over 22 years but unfortunately it is the rules.
"Homegrown players bring more value and that is not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us."
He may not be the only first-team midfielder to depart this summer, either, as the same report claims that Saudi Pro League clubs are still interested in 32-year-old Casemiro - whose place in the starting XI will likely be snatched by Ugarte.
Their window remains open for another week so Casemiro could still leave. United's manager has stressed that his Brazilian enforcer is an important part of his squad but a deal is not completely off the cards.
"He is a big leader for us and very important for the team," Ten Hag stated after Casemiro's Community Shield outing. "He has had a long pre-season, so he is very fit at this moment.
"I think, as a team, we work good together and I think that makes it for Case very easy. Then he can bring his skills in and then you can see his importance for the game and for our team."
With Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen - as well as youngsters Daniel Gore and Toby Collyer knocking about - United would still be well-stocked for options in midfield should a Saudi Pro League club submit an offer for Casemiro that could tempt Ten Hag to cash in.