Fans want to see Matic as Reds enforcer
UNITED supporters would prefer Nemanja Matic to start in the firstteam’s midfield next season ahead of Fabinho.
In an M.E.N. Sport survey on Reds fans’ ideal XI for the forthcoming campaign, Matic edged out Monaco midfielder Fabinho while Anthony Martial was selected ahead of Ivan Perisic.
Nearly 3,000 fans chose their favourite XI from a host of prospective signings and players United have shown interest in, as well as current players.
The most selected player was Paul Pogba, followed by Eric Bailly, David de Gea, Victor Lindelof and Ander Herrera, while the most popular formation was 4-3-3.
M.E.N. Sport revealed in May United were confident De Gea would stay and the Spaniard is the predictable choice between the sticks among fans.
Antonio Valencia was selected as the United right-back, with Eric Bailly partnered by new Swedish signing Victor Lindelof. At leftback, Luke Shaw got the nod in another show of confidence from supporters despite his injury issues and difficult relationship with Jose Mourinho.
Matic overcame Fabinho to line up in a midfield three with popular pair Herrera and Pogba, who played key roles in Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford.
United have a lingering desire to sign a marquee forward, with the club still firm admirers of Gareth Bale, but fans have remained realistic and plumped for a front three of Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan either side of Alvaro Morata. Bale was chosen only 716 times.
Perisic garnered just 531 votes and Neymar was picked 318 times. Fabinho fared better with 841 votes.
The M.E.N. revealed United had made an approach for Morata in early May and reported last month that sources close to the player expected him to complete an Old Trafford move. The most recent line from the M.E.N. was the Morata deal was progressing ‘slowly’ but remained on track.
In May, we reported Matic was keen to reunite with Mourinho and the Serbian had agreed personal terms. United are confident of signing the Chelsea midfielder once the Premier League champions conclude a deal for Fabinho’s teammate Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Despite frenzied speculation, the M.E.N. wrote early last month United had not earmarked Fabinho as their defensive midfield priority and were instead considering Matic and Tottenham’s Eric Dier.