MATIC A PRIZE CATCH

ROMELU LUKAKU will grab the headlines with his two goals but we must not overlook the importance of Nemanja Matic to Manchester United’s victory.

That was the best midfield performance of the Premier League’s opening weekend — has there been a better debut from a leftfooted midfield player at Old Trafford since Bryan Robson in 1981?

The telling contribution was for Lukaku’s first goal. Matic saw Pedro Obiang taking liberties in possession, burst forward to win the ball, then made a superb decoy run as Marcus Rashford threaded in Lukaku.

But there was a lot more to his game. He oozed class — assured on the ball, calm under pressure. He kept feeding the quality players around him, taking 89 touches, the most of any United player.

Out of possession, he positioned himself in front of the back four, allowing Paul Pogba to roam forward. At West Ham goal-kicks he saved the centre backs from their defensive duties, parking himself in front of the target men and winning the aerial battles.

Matic is a magnet to danger but is quick to return to his position. Watching him is like watching a tennis player returning to the centre of the court after each shot.

It is astonishing that Chelsea let him go. As he showed yesterday, he has strengthened their rivals.