It’s normal for managers to dip into their old clubs in the transfer window, but with Jose Mourinho claiming Chelsea players “betrayed” him, it seemed unlikely he’d follow that pattern.
Predictably, though, the new Manchester United manager has clearly forgotten about those comments, made just before he was sacked by the Blues in December.
Despite Nemanja Matic’s frankly disappointing season at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho wants to make him one of his first signings at Old Trafford, according to Sky Italia journalist Gianluca di Marzio.
Although the Serbian midfielder hasn’t been at his best, he would still be a fantastic signing, and if anything, his poor campaign last season could just bring the price down.
In Chelsea’s 2014/2015 title-winning season, he was instrumental, controlling the midfield and helping out at the back too.
Mourinho’s made it clear that Michael Carrick isn’t going to play much, while Juan Mata could be sold altogether, and that would leave a hole in United’s midfield for Matic to fill.
Under Louis van Gaal, United were all about possession, but too often struggled to convert it into anything tangible.
The challenge then, will be for Matic to rediscover his attacking prowess, and ensure his presence in the midfield doesn’t just allow Mourinho’s new side to stagnate even further.
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