Nemanja Matic’s Manchester United resurgence has been mightily impressive and he is certainly deserving of his contract extension.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has chosen to trigger the one-year extension in the Serbian midfielder’s contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least June 2021.
There is also a possibility for the 31-year-old to sign a further contract to extend his stay in Manchester beyond next season.
It’s been quite a change in fortunes for Matic, who just a few months ago looked to be coming to the end of his spell at the club.
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Before the turn of the year, Matic’s Old Trafford career was dwindling out as he struggled to play himself into Solskjaer’s first-team plans.
Matic even criticised the boss for keeping him on the bench and some fans will forget that he looked to be heading for the exit door as early as January.
But ever since Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay suffered serious injuries, Matic has become a mainstay in the side.
Matic has never been particularly glamorous to watch, but has played an understated role in protecting the back four alongside Fred in United’s 11 game unbeaten run.
It’s no coincidence United have kept nine clean sheets in these games, with Matic playing a part in the majority of them.
Alongside Fred, the Serb allows United a platform to attack from and distributes to Bruno Fernandes and Solskjaer’s other creative options well.
Matic can sometimes still be somewhat languid in position, but certainly seems more switched on and dominant in possession than he was just a few months ago.
While he is not the long-term answer in a midfield pivot, he has provided a more than adequate partner to Fred in Solskjaer’s midfield pivot in the side’s best run of the season.
In the last 10 games Nemanja Matic has started, Man Utd have scored 17 and conceded 6.
Big wins against Man City, Chelsea & Wolves in that time too. 🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/EvyGjGLA0B
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 17, 2020
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