Reds may trigger Matic stay after his ‘best football’
UNITED could trigger the one-year option in Nemanja Matic’s contract amid the ‘best football’ he has played under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 31-year-old is technically approaching the last five months of his deal, but United may activate the one-year extension to keep him beyond his contract’s expiry date of June 30.
Injuries to midfielders Scott McTominay (knee) and Paul Pogba (ankle) have forced Solskjaer to start Matic in eight of United’s past nine fixtures after he was restricted to two Premier League starts in the first four-and-a-half months of the campaign.
Matic has lined up in every league game since the 2-0 win at Burnley on December 28, although is a doubt for tonight’s clash with City after picking up a slight knock against Tranmere Rovers on Sunday.
United wanted to sign a midfielder in the summer and have explored the possibility of a loan deal for one this month. With Pogba’s future still uncertain, the Reds are considering whether to retain Matic at least into July.
“Nemanja is playing some of the best football,” Solskjaer said. “He is playing the best football since I’ve been here. So, for me, Nemanja is a top professional and we are keeping in touch with him and we are talking to him, yes.”
Given the possibility of United signing two central midfielders in the summer, it is possible they could extend Matic’s stay in order to obtain a fee from a summer sale.
The Serbia international was previously open to leaving this month but the absence of McTominay and Pogba has elevated Matic to the status of starter.
Matic suggested in pre-season the United squad lacked experience following the departures of Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia, as well as an emphasis on younger targets in the transfer market.
Former club captain Ashley Young, 34, left permanently for Inter Milan this month and Matic and Juan Mata are the only outfield players in the squad who are in their 30s.
United have not won more than three successive matches in an inconsistent campaign and their longest winning run in the Premier League is just two.
Seven teenagers have made their United debut this term and Solskjaer acknowledged the Reds’ youthful average age has contributed to their form.
“Well, we have discussed that a few times this year,” Solskjaer admitted. “That it’s a few steps forward then a step back and then we have to go again and this season has been about building physical and mental robustness, that is one of the big things.
“And there are so many pluses in that physical department and the way we could lay that foundation we have got going forward in the core group here now.
“But to learn quicker and learn more from those defeats and not get the Burnley setback, we don’t want those defeats, of course we don’t. But it’s just part and parcel of when you do have a young team and when you are missing some of the more experienced ones through injury.
“We are hoping for momentum and if we do that we can challenge for the places higher up.”