Manchester United Football Club have made an extremely strong start to the Premier League season, with Jose Mourinho’s men winning their opening three matches in convincing fashion. A key part of our early-campaign success is Nemanja Matic at the heart of our midfield.
The 29-year-old Serbian has offered some much-needed protection to the back four. His game as a whole has just taken the team to that next level, and that defensive-midfield position is one that Mourinho needn’t worry about for this year as he has a man he knows and trusts who can play there.
Now, his countryman and former Manchester United centre-back Nemanja Vidic has had his say on Matic’s arrival at Old Trafford. The 35-year-old admitted that he was surprised Chelsea let him leave, but he then lifted the lid on as to why he thinks it’s such a key signing in more ways than one.
“He has similar qualities to Michael Carrick, who has been a great player for the club,” Vidic told ManUtd.com.
“Michael is now 36; Nemanja is younger at 29 but he’s also very experienced. He’s been at big clubs, including Benfica and Chelsea, where he’s won titles.
“There are not so many players left at Old Trafford who have won the title before, so that trophy-winning mentality is very important because it can’t only come from a very successful manager. Nemanja has been there before and he knows what it’s like when the pressure really builds in a title race.
“He’s a very good signing for us. He’s a top player for the position and I’m surprised that Antonio Conte let him go. He played most of their games last season and did really well, so I didn’t expect him to be sold to one of their biggest rivals. The way he’s played in his first few games suggests he is a United player.”
Experience is so important when it comes to winning championships, and Vidic makes a compelling point regarding that. We let go of Wayne Rooney this summer, and there really is a lack of that winning mentality within the squad at the moment. Although Matic hasn’t won things with Manchester United (yet!), he’s proven he has what it takes to succeed in the English game and that’s absolutely vital.
Although Matic hasn’t won things with Manchester United (yet!), he’s proven he has what it takes to succeed in the English game and that’s absolutely vital.
Honestly, I just thought we were getting a midfield enforcer, but Matic is more than that and he can play quite a bit too – it has been pleasantly surprising.
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