Manchester United chief scout Javier Ribalta leaves to join Zenit St Petersburg

Manchester United chief scout Javier Ribalta has left the club to join Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg just 13 months after arriving at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old, formerly head scout for Juventus, has agreed a deal to become Zenit's new sporting director until 2021.

Ribalta joined United after five years with the Bianconeri, in which he played a key role in recruiting Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Kingsley Coman, Dani Alves and Alvaro Morata.

"I am very happy that I have become part of such a club," Ribalta said in a statement on the Zenit website.

"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."

Ribalta also worked as a scout at Torino and AC Milan before becoming chief scout at Novara.