Manchester United transfer rumour: Jose Mourinho looking to sign Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic

Nemanja Matic, Chelsea, Manchester United
Nemanja Matic has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Juventus

Despite having purchased Paul Pogba in the most expensive football transfer in history, Manchester United's problems in midfield have not quite gone away. According to reports on TransferMarketWeb, the Red Devils are looking to sign Chelsea midfielder, Nemanja Matic, who was linked to Man United during the summer transfer window.

The reports also mention that Matic is on Juventus’ radar and that the Bianconeri will move for the Serbian during the January transfer window. With Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger out of the pecking order at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho will most likely do his best to get hold of the services of Matic.

The Serbian had been bought by Mourinho for Chelsea in 2014 and was quite instrumental in their title-winning campaign of 2014/15. Matic's current contract with Chelsea runs until the summer of 2019.

Also read: Pavel Nedved reveals his biggest regret was not playing for Manchester United

Mourinho has had a roller-coaster start to his Manchester United career, with the Red Devils sixth in the English Premier League table. Captain, Wayne Rooney's form is just one of the issues that the 53-year-old has had to deal with.

Since dropping Rooney, Man United's performances have been better and Rooney's absence has freed up space for Pogba which has also led to the Frenchman scoring his first goal for Man United.

Marouane Fellaini, who has been immense for Mourinho in the defensive midfield role does lack the ability to send probing passes from midfield to attack. Ander Herrera was given the deeper role in the last few games and this did help Man United's attacking intents, however, it does hamper the way that the creative Herrera can be used.

How would he fit in?

This is where someone like Matic would come in handy. The Serbian is a rock in front of the defence and has the ability to send long probing passes to the forwards. Mourinho has his eyes set on Matic with the belief that the 28-year-old would complement the style of play of the talented Pogba.

Although the former Benfica midfielder’s attacking numbers (5 goals in 117 games for Chelsea) are not very impressive, it's his defensive work that makes him a hot property. He averages 3 tackles a game and more than 2 interceptions a game.

The Red Devils’ first match after the international break is against their North-West rivals, Liverpool on October 19. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have been in tremendous form this season and it will not be an easy task for Mourinho’s men to repeat last season's performance at Anfield.

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