Transfer News: Nemanja Matic is set to swap Manchester United for AS Roma
According to Sky in Italy (h/t Mirror), Manchester United midfield veteran Nemanja Matic is set to complete a move to Serie A giants Roma with a medical scheduled to happen on Monday.
Matic joined Man United from Chelsea in 2017 and has since then gone on to have a very polarising time at Old Trafford. Whilst the Serbian’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed, his performances have not lived up to the billing.
The 33-year-old defensive midfielder has been consigned to a bit-part role over the past few seasons. This season, Matic played 32 games for the Red Devils failing to score but managing to produce four assists across all competitions.
The Serbian midfield ace is set to leave Old Trafford this summer on a free transfer with his contract expiring and Serie A giants Roma are said to be interested in taking the veteran midfielder.
What could have been?
Nemanja Matic’s six-year reign at United has been a period of ‘what it could have been’ mostly with the midfielder failing to nail down a regular role in the team.
Having played 189 games for the Red Devils, the Serbian has undoubtedly been an able player and a good servant to the club, especially in his formative years but things have kind of tapered off towards the end.
At 33, Matic is approaching the twilight years of what has been more than a decent career. He now has the chance to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho, under whom the Serbian played at both United and Chelsea.
The Portuguese manager knows how to use Matic and could use his experience in rebuilding the Roma squad and challenge the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus, and AC Milan once again. Manchester United for their part will not lose much with the Serbian leaving and would be wise to replace him with a younger option.
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With a number of midfielders leaving the club this summer, the Red Devils undoubtedly have to focus on this area in the transfer market. It remains to be seen how they go about it, and if James Garner, who is returning from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest, has a role to play under Erik ten Hag.
