Matic: The fans gave us something extra
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has hailed the impact of the Old Trafford faithful in the Reds securing all three points against Tottenham Hotspur.
United edged a Premier League thriller under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams, emerging as 3-2 winners following an enthralling 90 minutes in Saturday’s late kick-off.
With the points on the line vital for both sides’ Champions League qualification hopes, it was a game that the respective teams had to win and it’s fair to say that the home crowd more than understood their part in the assignment.
With the points on the line vital for both sides’ Champions League qualification hopes, it was a game that the respective teams had to win and it’s fair to say that the home crowd more than understood their part in the assignment.
Matic's take on an Old Trafford classic Video
Matic's take on an Old Trafford classic
Nemanja speaks about the fans' impact, the importance of the points and Cristiano Ronaldo after our win over Spurs…
The noise in M16 was audible from the moment that the players stepped out for our warm-ups, insisted Matic, who says that the fans gave United that extra buzz needed to secure the triumph against a tough opponent.
“It was an extremely difficult game to play against a very good team. As you know, [Antonio] Conte is a fantastic coach, and they prepared for the game very well,” the midfielder admitted.
“But thanks to the supporters, they helped us a lot since the warm-up, there was positive energy at the stadium.
“Thanks to them, we gave something extra on the pitch, [we could] fight for each other and, at the end, three points was possible.”
“It was an extremely difficult game to play against a very good team. As you know, [Antonio] Conte is a fantastic coach, and they prepared for the game very well,” the midfielder admitted.
“But thanks to the supporters, they helped us a lot since the warm-up, there was positive energy at the stadium.
“Thanks to them, we gave something extra on the pitch, [we could] fight for each other and, at the end, three points was possible.”
Off the back of defeat in the derby last weekend, it was important for the Reds to respond with a positive result against the north London club, something Matic was delighted that we could do.
“It was very important, when you have to win the game, it’s not easy. The pressure is on you, but this is why we are here, I think this is why Man United signed us.
“We have to take responsibility and we have to be there when it’s most important.”
“It was very important, when you have to win the game, it’s not easy. The pressure is on you, but this is why we are here, I think this is why Man United signed us.
“We have to take responsibility and we have to be there when it’s most important.”
Full-time celebrations at Old Trafford Video
Full-time celebrations at Old Trafford
Watch our victorious players walk off after securing three precious points against Spurs...
One player that certainly was there when it mattered on the night was Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted a game-deciding hat-trick.
In the process, our no.7 reached 807 career goals, becoming professional football’s all-time leading scorer, a feat that Matic says is fully deserved.
“I think, every day, he shows that he is a great professional, a good example for young players and the things that happen to him, he deserves,” Nemanja said of his record-breaking team-mate.
“After more than 800 goals, no-one should doubt him.
“He’s been on the best level for 20 years and nobody did that I think in the history of football.”
In the process, our no.7 reached 807 career goals, becoming professional football’s all-time leading scorer, a feat that Matic says is fully deserved.
“I think, every day, he shows that he is a great professional, a good example for young players and the things that happen to him, he deserves,” Nemanja said of his record-breaking team-mate.
“After more than 800 goals, no-one should doubt him.
“He’s been on the best level for 20 years and nobody did that I think in the history of football.”
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