Top 5 possible destinations for Nemanja Matic

Two-time Premier League winner Nemanja Matic is said to be unhappy at Manchester United over his role this side after struggling for playing time under Ole Gunnar Solskjær this season.

Matic has made just 23 appearances for the Red Devils in the league this season although injuries have been troubling him as well. It is believed that his relationship with former manager Solskjær was not particularly good and he was also not happy with how the club has performed the last campaign.

Matic used to be one of Jose Mourinho’s favourite football players. The Portuguese himself bought him at Chelsea from Benfica and was also the one who brought him to Manchester United from Stamford Bridge. Since Mourinho got sacked, Matic has hardly been at his best and is now behind the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred in the pecking order. So, his desire for an exit from the club seems very reasonable.

In this article, we will look at five potential destinations of the Serbian international –

#1 Fulham

As per reports, Fulham is keen on adding experience to their squad. And Nemanja Matic is one of the names on the Cottagers’ wish list. Marco Silva’s side will talk to the veteran in order to persuade him to stay in the Premier League. The Cottagers gained promotion to the Premier League after topping the Championship table with 90 points in 46 matches. The London giants believe an experienced player at the heart of the midfield could help them stay in the English top-flight for a longer duration than they have managed in the recent past.

The report further claims that there is interest in the 33-year-old from the foreign clubs. But, the midfielder could opt to join Fulham to return to his life in London. The Serbian enjoyed great success during his time at the capital with Chelsea. And getting the experienced player on a Bosman transfer would also be a boon for the Cottagers who would look to make a statement in the Premier League this season.

#2 Roma

Mourinho would love to have Matic at Roma

Rumors are rife that Roma is said to have made contact for the potential signature of Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic. It is being claimed that the contact has already been made by the Giallorossi and there seem to be good feelings about the potential signing of the Serbian international.

Jose Mourinho, who managed Matic at United and Chelsea, desires to reunite with the ex-Benfica man and this is driving the move forward. The gaffer used to love the player and in fact, it was the Portuguese who himself bought him at Chelsea from Benfica and was also the one who brought him to Manchester United from Stamford Bridge. And after playing almost a decade in the Premier League, it could be a perfect time to test himself out in a different league and thus Serie A could be a very good destination for the former Serbia international.

The 33-year-old has shown that he has lost mobility to play in a high-intensity league like the Premier League. So, joining another English top-flight club might not be the right decision for Nemanja Matic. 

#3 Tottenham Hotspur

Well, with Antonio Conte in charge of the Premier League giants now, it is pretty understandable that he would be interested in Matic if he is looking for an exit from Manchester United. Even though he was the manager who sold Matic to Manchester United during his stint at Chelsea, the duo had a brilliant season together when Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Matic’s game completely transformed under Conte. The Italian used him in an unnatural role for the player much more advanced than he previously used to play. As a number eight, Matic did a brilliant job for the Blues alongside N’Golo Kante helping the Blues to win the Premier League. And with Spurs fighting with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea for the title in the upcoming season, Matic’s arrival will be a great addition to the North London club.

#4 Newcastle United

Having been just taken over by the richest owners football has ever seen, it is a poorly-kept secret that Newcastle United will break their bank this summer transfer window. They are looking for a massive squad overhaul and the pursuit of Matic who comes free could be a good place to start with.

The Serbian could offer some valuable physicality and power in the midfield. Matic, with his immense experience, can bring exactly what the Magpies lack in the middle of the park. His intelligence, experience, and the protection he provides to the back-four is unmatched by any of the Newcastle midfielders. Hence, Matic could provide them with the defensive stability in the midfield that they dearly miss.

#5 Benfica

Matic would love to return to Benfica

Matic has always kept the door open to a potential return to Benfica and has also admitted that the Portuguese side is ‘always in his heart’. The defensive midfielder spent two-and-a-half years at the Lisbon side between 2011 and 2014 – either side of stints at old club Chelsea.

During that time, he transformed himself to be one of the best players in his position. It was in fact in Lisbon where then Benfica manager Jorge Jesus converted him from a playmaker in to a defensive midfielder which helped him become a world-beater. A return to the club would help both parties – the player can get back to his best at Portugal while Benfica can add experience in their squad that can help them next term