Through his Instagram account, Nemanja Matic has confirmed that he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.
As his time at Old Trafford draws to a close, the midfielder will make a decision on his next move soon.
Nemanja Matic was meant to be one of the signings that would help the club become more stable and balanced. While at Chelsea, he played the role and helped the club win the Premier League on two occasions as a regular starter. With the Blues, he has three domestic league titles.
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At Manchester United, the midfielder never quite achieved the same heights as the rest of the squad, which was struggling to stay relevant. There has been a lot of unrest in the squad, and given the club’s volatility, Matic has never been able to find the right balance to stamp his authority on the field.
Matic has opted to quit Manchester United at the end of the current season after 183 appearances and five seasons at the club.
He said:
“After a great deal of thought, I have decided that this season will be my last with Manchester United. I have informed the board, the manager, and the players of my decision. “
“It has been a huge honor and a privilege to play for this great club. A big thank you to the fans for their unwavering support. I will now give everything until the end of the season to help my teammates finish as strongly as possible.”
Matic’s formidable midfield presence will be missed by Manchester United, who have already begun their search for a replacement. The club is looking to add a solid defensive midfielder to strengthen the position and then build from there. According to reports, incoming manager Erik ten Hag has set up plans to pursue specific players.
Ten Hag wants to sign Auerelien Tchouameni this summer, but the club is also keeping an eye on a number of other players. They want to bring in a reliable, long-term player for the future.
Manchester United has also been linked with Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, however, a transfer could be tricky given the rivalry between the two clubs.
In Matic’s case, it remains to be known where he will play next. Because the Serbian will have a year left on his contract after the season finishes, it is still unclear if he would go on a free transfer or if Manchester United will seek a transfer price from interested clubs.
