Nemanja Matic has revealed that Axel Tuanzebe is the Manchester United player that he is missing the most during this unprecedented lockdown period.
United players, along with the rest of the country, are isolating meaning they cannot yet train at the Carrington training facility.
Instead, they have been sent their own individual training plans to work through from the comforts of their homes.
Matic, 31, is one of the more experienced heads within the United dressing room but it appears he gets along most with one of the many academy academy graduates.
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“Which player am I missing the most? Axel!” Matic told United’s official website.
“I always like to speak with him, because we always attack each other – in a good [funny] way! In a good way!
Always, the players like it when we are together in the changing room. They always expect what is going to happen next, so I miss him a lot.”
While Matic is good friends with Tuanzebe, he has explained that he shares a good relationship with the rest of the squad as well.
“I’m in good relations with everyone,” the added.
“Of course, with players who are close to my age, I understand [them] better. But, to be honest, I like everyone in the changing room.
“I like to share the funny jokes with Marcus Rashford, Jesse [Lingard]… but the players closer to my age like Juan [Mata], David [De Gea], of course, I understand better with them than Mason Greenwood, for example, because there is an age gap of more than 10 years.”
It had appeared that Matic was set to leave Old Trafford after struggling for game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the early part of the season.
However, the Serbian midfielder has deservedly earned a one-year contract for his mini-revival since Christmas.
He has become a key part of Solskjaer’s plans in the midfield pivot with Fred, allowing Bruno Fernandes and United’s other forwards freedom in attacking transition with his stability in front of the back four.
His experience as a Premier League title winner may also prove to be invaluable as Solskjaer continues to shape his rebuild at Old Trafford.
