Gary Neville questions Chelsea's 'strange' decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United

Gary Neville has branded Chelsea's decision to sell Nemanja Matic is Manchester United as "strange".

The Serbian moved to Old Trafford in a deal worth £40million - with a further £5m in add-ons - on Monday, leaving Chelsea for the second time in his career to be reunited with Jose Mourinho.

Neville congratulated his former club on the purchase, outlining their need for a holding midfielder, but questioned Chelsea's willingness to separate title-winning duo Matic and N'Golo Kante.

Neville told Sky Sports: "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.

"I believe Nemanja Matic can do that.

"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.

"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.

In Pictures | Nemanja Matic joins Manchester United | 31/07/2017

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

Antonio Conte has brought in Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco for a similar price, though his squad will contend with the added commitments of the Champions League during the 2017/18 season.