Why Matic could be key to ManU’s hunt for silverware football
Nemanja Matic’s signing for Manchester United could well be coach Jose Mourinho’s most important for the coming season of the Premier League.
The Serb will bring his experience in top-flight football to Old Trafford. Matic will be valuable for his new club as he has been part of both titlewinning Chelsea squads in the last three years. He is used to winning and will be vital in Manchester United launching an assault for the title this season.
A risk free and guaranteed performer, Matic found himself playing the role of a deep-lying playmaker at Chelsea. Under former coach Antonio Conte, he was forced to switch to accommodate the Italian’s preferred three-man-defense.
With the likes of N’Golo Kante (statistically the league’s best ball-winner) and Everton player Idrissa Gueye defending at Stamford Bridge, Matic was forced out of position and was unable to lend a creative shoulder to Chelsea, assisting only seven times in the season last year.
In unfamiliar territory, the Serb was playing in positions higher up the pitch.
It may serve Manchester United better to play Matic as a classic no. 6 player who is best put to use as a first line defensive midfielder, screening the back four and blocking attacks from his half. His inexpensive passing and use off the ball will be of assistance to the aging Michael Carrick (36) in midfield.
The relationship between player and coach would be fascinating to watch. After Matic became a Red Devil, Mourinho said, “Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer, loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.”
The Portugese, who has made a habit of managing players at more than one club, values trust and loyalty.
Primary examples would be his working with players such as Ricardo Carvalho, Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lassana Diarra at more than one club.
Matic will become the 14th addition to this list. With Matic turning 29 this month, doubt lingers on whether he would be capable of replicating his performances of the 2014-15 Premier League season under Mourinho.
I am very happy because we will work again together. He is a great coach and, when I worked with him before, he always took out the best from me. NEMANJA
MATIC on Jose Mourinho