Some Manchester United fans have made it clear that they want to see midfielder Nemanja Matic leave the club as soon as possible.
The Serbian, now 31, has not featured too much for United this season. He has played only three times in the Premier League so far, also starting twice in the UEFA Europa League. However, he has failed to contribute directly to any goals.
The former Chelsea man has drawn links with a move to Inter over the last few weeks, with his contract expiring at the end of the current season.
Some United fans want the midfielder out as quickly as possible.
Matic unhappy and would rather leave in January than wait till Summer. Wrap him up and send him to Santa Ole!
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 11, 2019
Let him go. We can play youth in his place and it would still be an improvement. If he goes in January at least we get a pound or two for him.
— Ingemar Svensson (@gussvenin) November 11, 2019
Should’ve left him in Belgrade.
— Katana (@kopliks) November 11, 2019
I forgot he played for us
— yourfav_j (@JYourfav) November 11, 2019
Time for Nemanja Baggage to move on.
— Marc (@Gfox_1) November 11, 2019
Matic joined United in the summer of 2017 for a fee of £40million from Chelsea, where he won three Premier League titles. He won one title under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, winning the second one under current Inter boss Antonio Conte, whilst the other was with Carlo Ancelotti.
Last season, the Serbian played 28 times in the Premier League. He also scored once and he also helped the club finish as high as second in the league in his first season at Old Trafford.
This season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given regular time to young Scott McTominay and Brazilian midfielder Fred. Andreas Pereira has also played 11 times in the Premier League so far this season.
Some United fans, though, fear that the club will be unable to sign a replacement for Matic soon.
So work with bare bones ? Play yourself perhaps?
— united (@united47832637) November 11, 2019
Let us buy someone first!!
— Arunangshu Sarkar (@ArunangshuSar12) November 11, 2019
United let go of Ander Herrera and Romelu Lukaku this past summer, but they ended up failing to bring in a central midfielder and a striker to replace the departed Spaniard and Belgian.
What do we think?
United fans’ fears have a warranted fear about the club’s inability to replace Matic. While they do have young James Garner as an option, he has made only one start in all competitions so far this season. It will be a risk to overexpose him in the league.
Having said that, Matic is not playing much at the age of 31. He needs to be moved on, but United could make a loss in revenue if they do risk letting him go on a free transfer. The best option is to sell the player permanently in January and sign a defensive midfielder. The likes of Denis Zakaria and Boubakary Soumare have been linked.