Manchester United have completed the signing of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea in a £40m deal. The midfielder joins the Red Devils on a three year contract and sees Jose Mourinho’s spending rise above £145m this summer.
Manchester United sign Nemanja Matic
It marks the second time Mourinho has bought the player, after the manager spent £21m in 2014 to bring Matic back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell. The 28 year-old becomes the third summer arrival at Old Trafford after £31m defensive recruit Victor Lindelof, and £75m striker Romelu Lukaku.
Matic, who won two Premier League titles during his stay in London, was tipped to depart Chelsea following the club’s signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco.
Mourinho had this to say about the 28 year-old Serbian international. “Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player. I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him.”
With new captain Michael Carrick in the twilight of his career, it is unreasonable to expect the 36-year-old to feature in every game. Matic will provide some much needed stability in that area and while he doesn’t offer much in the way of goals, his style of play should allow record signing Paul Pogba the freedom he desires further up the pitch.
The Serbian’s arrival has also sparked rumors that Marouane Fellaini’s time at Old Trafford is over with Galatasary reportedly interested. But boss Mourinho is still hopeful of securing one more player before the window shuts.
Manchester United have been in pursuit of Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic throughout the summer but have recently been encouraged in the possibility of landing long-term target Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.
