Manchester United will be keeping hold of Nemanja Matic, with the midfielder signing a new deal until 2023. And for the Red Devils it’s a no-brainer. The Serb will offer valuable experience to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side – and Scott McTominay in particular.
Manchester United have seen Matic enjoy a stunning upturn in form, with the Serbia international winding back the years with some vintage displays for the Red Devils.
And that’s now earned him a new contract, with the 31-year-old penning an extension that will tie him to the club until 2023.
“I am very happy that I will continue to be part of this great club,” he said.
“As a player, I still have a lot more to give and achieve in my career and to do that with Manchester United will be a huge honour.
“This is a really exciting team to be part of, we have a good balance of youth and experience within the squad and there is great camaraderie amongst the group.
“This is a key part of the season and we are playing well. We will continue to fight to finish the season on a high and make our amazing supporters proud.”
Solskjaer dubbed himself ‘delighted’ at seeing Matic sign on, adding: “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.
“We have great strength in midfield and Nemanja’s attributes are a key part of that.
“Nemanja has been here for three seasons now and really understands the values of playing for Manchester United.
“He remains hugely ambitious and determined which will be vital as we look to achieve our aims over the coming years.”
Matic is very much United’s now. He’s proven himself to be capable of shining in this Solskjaer side full of youth and speed.
And, in McTominay, they already have the ideal long-term replacement for the Serb.
Matic won’t play every game for United. He’ll almost certainly start of all the big ones but, with the former Chelsea star entering the twilight years of his career, United will be keen to manage his game time.
And McTominay has impressed this season, showing he’s got the talent and ability to perform in the defensive midfield role for years to come.
The Scotland international was once a figure of mockery among fans due to the fact he was often picked by Jose Mourinho ahead of the talented Paul Pogba.
But McTominay has become an established player within his own right with Solskjaer helping the midfielder to evolve.
He has delivered some stirring performances for the Red Devils against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, filling in admirably when Pogba was injured and Fernandes not at the club.
And there’s a sense that, while United have McTominay and Matic, they won’t be signing a defensive midfielder for some time to come.
They’ll instead be able to focus on landing Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish, who are the club’s top two transfer targets for the summer window.
