Matic proof you have a chance under Ole!
UNITED were short of midfielders in the first half of this season, when Paul Pogba was still battling injury and Bruno Fernandes was just a daydream, but still Nemanja Matic couldn’t get a look-in.
The former Premier League winner, who missed a couple of months between October and December, was often a safe pair of hands to add some experience in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup.
But his Premier League involvement was restricted to just two starts and a total of 160 minutes in the first 19 games.
Scott McTominay and Fred had developed a consistent partnership at the base of midfield, but one could have been moved forward to accommodate Matic, especially as those competing for advanced roles were hardly impressing.
Instead, the Serbian was rarely involved and his name rarely mentioned. United were struggling but nobody really saw Matic as the answer and with his contract up this summer, a departure looked a realistic possibility.
Which makes the transformation in the second half of this season all the more impressive.
Matic had a big impact in both Carabao Cup semi-finals against City and took advantage of McTominay’s injury to shine in the Premier League as well.
There had been a feeling Matic’s legs might have been going, even though he’s only 31, and that his languid style wouldn’t suit Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s style.
Instead, Matic has simply reminded everyone of his class. He’s a brilliant defensive midfielder, whose positional intelligence is vital in stopping counter-attacks and supporting the defence, while his passing is also underrated.
He wasn’t at his best in the 5-2 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday but that was his 17th start in the last 24 games.
In the seven games he’s missed he was suspended for one, came off the bench in three others and was an unused substitute in three
FA Cup or Europa League ties.
From a peripheral figure who was becoming United’s forgotten man, Matic is now one of the most important players in this team. His ability in a deep midfield role is setting the base for Pogba and Fernandes to thrive together.
Solskjaer is certainly aware just how important the 31-year-old has become. First, the club took the one-year option on his contract, securing him until 2021, but as his form has improved so has United’s dependence on him.
They have now confirmed a new contract has been signed that will keep him at Old Trafford for another three years.
“I am delighted that Nemanja has signed a new contract, I know his experience, professionalism and leadership will be invaluable to this young talented group,” said Solskjaer.
“We have great strength in midfield and Nemanja’s attributes are a key part of that. He has been here for three seasons now and really understands the values of playing for United. “He remains hugely ambitious and determined which will be vital as we look to achieve our aims over the coming years.” Those words of praise and a new deal that will tie Matic down until he’s 34 are proof that the door is never closed under Solskjaer. Matic has made the most of his opportunity and proven it is possible to change the manager’s mind.
That should act as inspiration for those on the fringes of the side who have so far failed to take the same approach. The disappointing performance at Norwich in the FA Cup, when Solskjaer made eight changes, showed that the depth is still lacking at United. For Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira the door is closing quickly at Old Trafford, but Matic’s revival and his subsequent reward should give every squad player encouragement that their time will come. They just have to make the most of it.
From becoming United’s forgotten man, Matic is now one of the most important players in this team