Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Nemanja Matic from Chelsea for a reported figure of £40 million, per ESPNFC.
The Serbian international who has twice played for manager Jose Mourinho was the missing midfield piece United have been searching for this summer, and Jose is delited to be reunited with his former player.
“Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player,” said Jose Mourinho on the club’s website.
Past experience with Mourinho was a key part in allowing the Red Devils to snatch one of the best defensive midfielders in the world from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
“I am delighted to have joined Manchester United,” Matic said on United’s official site. “To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
At a towering 6’4 Matic is an imposing figure on the field to line up against. He has played a crucial role in helping Chelsea win the league title in 2015 and this past season.
After Chelsea signed Tiemoué Bakayoko from Monaco, the 28-year old was deemed surplus goods by Antonio Conte.
Matic is a veteran midfielder who is in his prime will play a huge part in any of the success the Red Devils may have in the upcoming season. His defensive abilities should free Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera to get forward and unleash the full attacking power of the team — something the Old Trafford faithful have been yearning so long for.
His high defensive work rate and ability to help transition from defense to offense is something United have sorely missed in the midfield — plus he can score absolute screamers like this and this.
“This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club,” Matic said.
The signing of Matic brings United’s summer total to three — all of which have addressed major holes in the roster, however, the signing of Matic could prove to be the most beneficial.
He’s a proven winner in the Premier League and has the experience to be a great leader for this relatively young United squad.
The expectations are high for United’s second season under Mourinho, but the signing of Matic will only improve the odds of collecting silverware in the upcoming season.