Manchester United 3-0 Fulham: 5 men who were brilliant for Solskjaer | Premier League 2018-19

#4 Nemanja Matic

Fulham FC v Manchester United - Premier League

Tasked with covering a new back four, Matic was pegged back during the opening stages of the game. Fulham had overloaded their players into the United half and Smalling and Jones were under immense pressure. It seemed like the home side would break the deadlock at any moment, however, United held on and went ahead themselves.

It was the opening quarter of the game that shaped the final outcome and Nemanja Matic was vital for United in that period.

The Serbian dropped deep and shielded his defense. He denied the home side any room around the box and positioned himself gallantly during the opposition attacks. As such, United were able to withstand the initial storm and managed to stay in the game.

After he had calmed the defence, Matic settled his base a little further up the field. It was from here that the Serbian dictated the game, threading passes, intercepting the opposition attacks and always looking to initiate a counter.

Against Fulham, Matic was once again the lock in the midfield that kept out the opposition as well as held the team together.