Chelsea superstar Nemanja Matic is reportedly back on the radar of Manchester United as an alternative summer target to Tottenham star Eric Dier.
According to Manchester Evening News, Chelsea superstar Nemanja Matic has re-entered the radar of Manchester United. Jose Mourinho is looking for a reunion with the Serbian in case there are complications in their pursuit of Tottenham star Eric Dier, who has been linked profusely with the red half of Manchester.
Nemanja Matic was heavily tipped to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge last summer. However, the club kept the player and the Serbian has proven to be an instrumental part of the first-team setup under Antonio Conte, as the partner to the tireless N’Golo Kante.
Matic has been a crucial part of Chelsea’s triumphant league campaign and failed to appear in only two of them so far – one of them being their match against Watford, where Conte fielded a rather second-string lineup.
However, Antonio Conte is already looking to add to his thin midfield in the summer, which could put the Serbian’s position in the starting eleven in danger. N’Golo Kante is unlikely to be disposed, which means that any new arrival is likely to take Matic’s place in the lineup.
Friends reunited?
Jose Mourinho wants to bring Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic to Man Utd.
It’s Gossip: https://t.co/UXXxFE3mjq pic.twitter.com/RxRJ7Tdh7M
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 19, 2017
Jose Mourinho wants to sign Nemanja Matic after accepting signing Eric Dier is difficult. [M.E.N] #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtdUpdates_) May 19, 2017
The aforementioned could push Matic towards an exit. And, if the rumours are to be believed, he may be in line for a sensational reunion with former manager, Jose Mourinho, who is looking to add steel to his midfield in the summer, with Michael Carrick set to play a more diminished role next campaign.
Matic already has a feel for Mourinho’s tactics and man management, which could help Manchester United as they aim to restore their legacy of being title challengers every season. The 28-year-old has two years left on his Chelsea deal and is unlikely to cost United a fortune, if Chelsea do decide to offload the player.
However, the Blues may decide against doing business that strengthens their rivals, which could be the major block in any potential deal between the two clubs. Matic has often aired his positive views of the Portuguese manager, who has also showered praise on the Serbian on quite a number of occasions.
On the other hand, the report does state that Mourinho’s first priority is Eric Dier. However, the manager has reportedly admitted that the club could have trouble pulling the Tottenham superstar to Old Trafford and is likely to target Matic if they fail in the pursuit of the Englishman.
As Mourinho goes about rebuilding his Manchester United squad, he would love to add a familiar face or two to the squad – ones that know what the Portuguese needs and demands from his players in order to mount a title challenge and a successful one as well.
