The Big Interview: Matic's United ambitions
Jose Mourinho’s third signing of the 2017 summer transfer window has proved to be an instant hit in the Red of Manchester United. Here, the popular Serbia international talks through his bond with the manager, his footballing philosophy and his Old Trafford ambitions…
How does life as a United player feel?
It feels great. Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am very happy because I am now part of this great club, part of this great group. As we know, Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world. Also, my wish was to train with Jose – he is a great coach and, when I worked with him before, he always took the best from me and I improve if I work with him, so I am very happy to be again with him.
This is the second time that Jose has signed you. It must give you much confidence to know that he rates you so highly?
Of course, of course. When the coach wants you to come to the club, it gives you more motivation, more possibility and I will try to, not try, I will, for sure, give my best to show that I deserve to be in this club and part of this group.
It feels great. Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am very happy because I am now part of this great club, part of this great group. As we know, Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world. Also, my wish was to train with Jose – he is a great coach and, when I worked with him before, he always took the best from me and I improve if I work with him, so I am very happy to be again with him.
This is the second time that Jose has signed you. It must give you much confidence to know that he rates you so highly?
Of course, of course. When the coach wants you to come to the club, it gives you more motivation, more possibility and I will try to, not try, I will, for sure, give my best to show that I deserve to be in this club and part of this group.
Why I joined United
Nemanja Matic says"My wish was to train with Jose – he is a great coach and, when I worked with him before, he always took the best from me."
You know what it takes to win the Premier League, after two championships with Chelsea in the last three seasons. Do you feel the United squad is ready to challenge for the title?
I think so. I think that this squad is ready because it is more mature, they already work with Jose for one year so they know what they have to do and I am sure that this season we can do many things.
How would you describe yourself as a player - what are your best qualities?
It's difficult to say something because I will let supporters talk about me. But I always give my best, I always try to do even more than I can on the pitch but [as for] my qualities, I will let the supporters talk about that.
Your particular role, the defensive midfielder, has become a very important position in modern football, hasn't it?
Yes, of course. In that position, the player needs to give balance to the team, he needs to control the game and that is exactly what I try to do. I cannot say that position is more important than any other position but, when you play in the centre of the pitch, you have to know every time where the ball is when you [your team] have the ball. And when you attack also, you have to know how to stop the opponents to make a counter-attack because, as I said, in that position you have to give balance always.
I think so. I think that this squad is ready because it is more mature, they already work with Jose for one year so they know what they have to do and I am sure that this season we can do many things.
How would you describe yourself as a player - what are your best qualities?
It's difficult to say something because I will let supporters talk about me. But I always give my best, I always try to do even more than I can on the pitch but [as for] my qualities, I will let the supporters talk about that.
Your particular role, the defensive midfielder, has become a very important position in modern football, hasn't it?
Yes, of course. In that position, the player needs to give balance to the team, he needs to control the game and that is exactly what I try to do. I cannot say that position is more important than any other position but, when you play in the centre of the pitch, you have to know every time where the ball is when you [your team] have the ball. And when you attack also, you have to know how to stop the opponents to make a counter-attack because, as I said, in that position you have to give balance always.
Your namesake and fellow countryman Nemanja Vidic was obviously a legend here. Is he someone you used to look up to?
Vidic, as you know, was a great player and one of the players where I look to be similar because he had a great career. When I come for the first time to the Serbia national team, he was one of the captains, he was a leader of our national team so he's great. It's great to be at the same club like him and I will try to do my best to repeat what he does. I know that is going to be very hard but I will try to do the best because I don't want that, one day, he tells me 'What are you doing there?!' So I will try to do my best for him to be happy.
United fans still sing a song about him. Are you hoping they sing a song about you as well?
Yeah, they can sing the same one I guess!
Vidic, as you know, was a great player and one of the players where I look to be similar because he had a great career. When I come for the first time to the Serbia national team, he was one of the captains, he was a leader of our national team so he's great. It's great to be at the same club like him and I will try to do my best to repeat what he does. I know that is going to be very hard but I will try to do the best because I don't want that, one day, he tells me 'What are you doing there?!' So I will try to do my best for him to be happy.
United fans still sing a song about him. Are you hoping they sing a song about you as well?
Yeah, they can sing the same one I guess!
Midfield Master
GalleryAction shots of Nemanja Matic doing what he does best... bossing the opposition!
We're excited to be back in the Champions League. How excited are you to be to playing in that particular competition again?
Yes, as you know I missed last year also the Champions League, I didn't play, so this competition is something special and they are the best clubs in Europe and it's always special when you play in that. Yeah, we are all happy that we can play Champions League and to compare with the best teams in Europe.
What do you hope to achieve as a United player, as an individual and as a member of the team?
As a member of the team, I think we can do many things. I'm sure that we will try to win the Premier League. Also, the Champions League, you never know what can happen. In the Champions League, everything is possible, [there are] many good teams, the best teams in Europe so Manchester is one of the best for sure and it's very, very difficult to make a plan before the season starts but we will try to win every game, if it is possible.
Yes, as you know I missed last year also the Champions League, I didn't play, so this competition is something special and they are the best clubs in Europe and it's always special when you play in that. Yeah, we are all happy that we can play Champions League and to compare with the best teams in Europe.
What do you hope to achieve as a United player, as an individual and as a member of the team?
As a member of the team, I think we can do many things. I'm sure that we will try to win the Premier League. Also, the Champions League, you never know what can happen. In the Champions League, everything is possible, [there are] many good teams, the best teams in Europe so Manchester is one of the best for sure and it's very, very difficult to make a plan before the season starts but we will try to win every game, if it is possible.
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