Nemanja Matic has apparently agreed personal terms ahead of his proposed £40m switch from Chelsea to Manchester United next month.
The Serbian helped the Blues to Premier League glory last term but is poised to leave the west London side as they themselves close in on the signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Will Matic be a good signing for United?
Here, we break down United’s thought-process behind the transfer.
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HE KNOWS MOURINHO WELL
The former Benfica man was a key signing made by Mourinho during the winter transfer window of 2014 and the Portuguese has always admired his combative style in midfield.
As such, Mourinho knows what he is getting with Matic – a trait he has seemed to follow time and time again with signings down the years.
Old friends: Matic and Mourinho.
A LIKE-FOR-LIKE REPLACEMENT FOR CARRICK
The veteran may have only just signed a new one-year contract extension but he will be 36 next month and Mourinho knows that his midfield engine room will be fully tested next term with expectations being high that the club will challenge for the Premier League title – and perform well in the Champions league.
Carrick turns 36 in July.
HEIGHT
This is perhaps an underrated attribute when it comes to signing a player but at 6 ft 4 in and a bit, the 28-year-old is a towering presence in the air and is more than effective in both penalty boxes.
His power and strength is very much in the mold of what Mourinho likes and coupled with the likes of Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Carrick and Ander Herrera, United should be especially strong when defending set-pieces next term.
Would-be team-mates battle in the air last season.
£40M ISN’T TOO EXPENSIVE FOR EXPERIENCE
Despite Matic’s poor form during Chelsea’s title defence of 2015-16 and Mourinho’s eventual sacking, Matic is a player he trusts – and a man who has won two Premier League titles in three seasons in England.
A proven track record.
Matic has won two Premier League titles.
UNLEASHING POGBA
Matic’s experience and know-how to act as a defensive shield in front of his defence, as well as contribute a few goals himself, should give someone like Pogba more license to push forward and showcase his creative range of passing.
Indeed, the fact he has won more tackles and interceptions (combined) then any other Premier League midfielder since arriving in England shows he is Mr Reliable.
The chains should be off Pogba next term.