Manchester United are set to lose six players on free transfers this summer as the club gears up for a tumultuous summer, with another six players potentially leaving in a mass exodus.
The Old Trafford club’s bloated squad is in dire need of surgery and Nemanja Matic, the former Serbia international, was the first to confirm his summer departure.
Matic was given a warm farewell in his final home match against Brentford and according to reports in Italy, he could be reuniting with former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho in Italy.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness who say that the midfielder is seen as a reinforcement and that Mourinho is keen on adding him to his squad.
Mourinho’s presence is cited as an appealing factor in the report and it’s claimed that the Portuguese boss has already put in a call to the former Chelsea stalwart. Matic’s high wages are said to be a potential stumbling block but he is believed to be willing to agree on a reduction.
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Should the deal be completed, Matic would fall in line with Mourinho’s vision to bring Premier League proven players to Italy, with Tammy Abraham, Rui Patricio and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all moving across the continent to join the Italian capital club.
Former Manchester United duo Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were already at Roma prior to Mourinho’s arrival and the pair have grown into mainstays in the 59-year-old’s side.
Matic will be joined by Paul Pogba in leaving Old Trafford for nothing this summer, leaving a gaping hole in United’s midfield. A move for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has been suggested but he’s believed to be preferring an extended stay at the Spanish club.
Adding a midfielder or two is high on United’s wishlist, with Erik ten Hag set to oversee one of the club’s busiest transfer windows in modern history.
Matic has served the club well, if only he had joined earlier.
But De Jong is not a defensive midfielder. United could look to sign Neves if De Jong does not have the desire to play for United.
A defensive midfielder is required, Axel Witzel or Boubacar Kamara on free transfers and Ibrahim Sangare for £20, million. Gives United a year to turn things around and go for Declan Rice in 2023