Nemanja Matic has evolved into quite the figure inside Manchester United’s dressing-room as his influence on the pitch has wained over the last couple of seasons.
The combative midfielder enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign at the club but has failed to hit those heights recently, largely owing to his age and lack of regular first-team action.
His quality and pedigree are undeniably stellar and despite rarely featuring for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he remains a popular figure behind closers doors at the Old Trafford club.
At least that’s what he would have you believe as he has opened up the brilliant nickname he has been given by his Manchester United team-mates.
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“Well, Apeh my nickname is ‘The Wolf’,” the former Serbia international told the official Manchester United website as part of a fan-led questions and answers session.
“They call me ‘The Wolf’ but I don’t know why. You have to ask to them. They call me ‘The Wolf’, I don’t know, they said I always find a way to win in the training sessions.
“They say, basically, that I am cheating. I don’t know. Wolves never cheat!”
SN’s verdict on Matic’s nickname and his role in the United dressing-room…
The nickname won’t come as a surprise to many – the former Chelsea midfielder is a relentless winner and although he has yet to lift a trophy at Manchester United, he boasts a colorful trophy room.
His current contract at Manchester United has less than two years remaining on it but when he signed that deal in 2020, he would have been well aware of Solskjaer’s intentions. Rather than a leader on the pitch, he has emerged as a high-profile figure off it instead.
His experience is invaluable to any side and that is shown by Solskjaer often opting to use him as his own human full-time whistle. Matic is frequently introduced late in a game if United are in the lead and he is trusted to keep it tight in the dying moments.
He also offers some productivity in the final third – he assisted Jesse Lingard’s 89th-minute winner at West Ham in September just minutes after coming on.
