Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has admitted his is "surprised" that Chelsea have sold Nemanja Matic to the Red Devils.

The Serbian midfielder completed his £40million move to Old Trafford on Monday, signing an initial three-year deal at the club.

Neville believes that his old side have made an excellent signing, but is struggling to understand why Chelsea have let him go.

“It’s a strange one for Chelsea to let him go because I thought he was good for them with Kante and I think they need to strengthen," he told Sky Sports.

Matic has been training with his new team-mates (
Image:
Man Utd via Getty Images)

“So I’m not sure why he’s been let go so they must have replacements in hand.”

The Premier League champions have signed Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco for £40million, who will join N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in the centre of midfield, so depth in that part of the team could become an issue with the club returning to the Champions League.

But according to Neville, Chelsea's loss is the Red Devils' gain.

Conte was willing to let Matic (
Image:
Darren Walsh)

"Michael Carrick’s obviously got one more year but he can’t play every single week so they’ve got to have that player come in and do the same job," he continued.

“I believe Nemanja Matic can do that.

Neville has questioned Chelsea's decision to sell Matic (
Image:
Manchester Evening News)

“United need a holding midfield player. [Morgan] Schneiderlin was let go earlier this year, [Bastian] Schweinsteiger didn’t get a game.

“There needed to be a replacement in there and ultimately I think Matic will fit the bill.

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Matic, who is celebrating his 29th birthday today, trained with his new team-mates for the first time this morning.

United play Sampdoria in Dublin tomorrow evening in their final pre-season friendly.

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