Nemanja Matic completes Manutd move.
The Serbian reunites with Jose Mourinho again at Old Trafford. Having just turned 29 years, Matic will add a great presence of tactical compactness, experience & a sense of physicality which was missing for most of last season.
The two time Premier winner & PFA player of the year in 2014–2015, Matic joins force with the 'Special One’ again but this time at the Theatre of Dreams.
Jose Mourinho has 4 signings in his mind during this transfer window in order to reach at the summit of the Premier League. With Lukaku & Lindelof signing well secured during Pre-season, Jose Mourinho was hoping to get a Defensive Midfield to add more solidity to their midfield. At 6' 4", Matic fits the profile well. With Carrick in this mid 30’s, a player of Matic’s calibre was needed. An experienced player who can sit right ahead of the defence line while giving Herrera & Pogba the license to express themselves.
Ed Woodward might have done the best signing of the transfer window.
“Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.”- Jose Mourinho
The statement made by Jose shows much this signing means to him.
Matic’s signing will have a great deal of impact on the likes of Herrera & Pogba. Last season, many a times Jose was forced to make either Pogba or Herrera play a slightly deeper role which eventually diminishes their effect on the game. Matic will solve that headache.
Jose has made the team play 4–2–3–1 or 4–3–3 last campaign, the latter been more effective. Pogba showing glimpse of his Juventus days by playing on the left side of midfield, Herrera on the right with Carrick being the anchor man.
Matic might not be the pass master like Michael Carrick but his pragmatic style of game suits the philosophy of Mourinho. Winning balls between channels & passing it to one of his teammates. Simple & Effective. Matic could play the deep lying midfield role, a role so successfully adapted by Pirlo at Juventus which freed up Pogba & underlined his name as one of the best midfielders around.
Matic could well be given his debut against Sampdoria before the team flies to Macedonia to play Real Madrid in the European Super Cup on 8th August.
With attack still a concern for Jose’s men, will Matic & co be able to fend off the mighty champions of Spain ?. It’ll be one feisty contest !
Sandeep Matharu.
