Manchester United have lost their chief scout Javier Ribalta, who has now joined Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Ribalta spent just 13 months at Old Trafford following a successful five-year stint with Juventus, in which he brought Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Kingsley Coman, Dani Alves and Alvaro Morata to the Serie A club.

In a statement on the Russian club's website, Ribalta said: "The Sporting Director has a lot of responsibilities, such as searching for new players, overseeing the work of the academy and getting the reserves in order.

"We will keep looking for players who can strengthen Zenit, but I want to give special attention to the club's academy. I am very happy that I have become part of such a club.

"I have seen the victorious photos that adorn the Zenit offices and I want the club to be able to feel these emotions once again."