NEMANJA MATIC HAS been backed to bring the best out of Paul Pogba at Manchester United, with Brian McClair welcoming a £40 million deal.
The Red Devils have completed their third big-money capture of the summer, with a highly-rated talent lured away from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Matic arrives as a proven winner and a man who knows Mourinho’s methods well from his time at Stamford Bridge.
He also helps to bolster the numbers in an important area of the field, with another holding option expected to free the likes of £89m man Pogba to make more of an impact in the final third.
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Former United striker McClair told ESPN FC on the Matic deal: “United need someone who sits there behind Pogba, who played his best football when Michael Carrick also played last season.
“Michael is coming to the end of a wonderful career, so United need someone who can do something similar but who will be more mobile in the coming years.
Is Matic any better than Fellaini?
“In the short term, I could see that someone like Matic would fit in. In some games, Paul Pogba has been in the wrong place and it has stifled his abilities which United bought him for.
Pogba’s attributes are all about attacking. He can find a pass, beat a player and has fantastic skills. He can score goals. For him to have the best opportunity of success at Old Trafford, Pogba needs to be playing in the final third of the pitch as much as possible.”
Pogba managed nine goals in 51 appearances for United last season, with only five of those coming in the Premier League.
Former United striker McClair, far left, knows Paul Pogba well having been in charge of the club's youth academy between 2006 and 2015. Mike Egerton
Mike Egerton
He also managed just five assists in all competitions, with it clear that there is more to come from him if used in the right position and given the freedom in which to express himself.
Matic should offer that, as a two-time title winner and a performer well versed in the demands of the English top-flight.
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Dynamic duo: Matic can free Pogba and bring out the best of him, says United legend
NEMANJA MATIC HAS been backed to bring the best out of Paul Pogba at Manchester United, with Brian McClair welcoming a £40 million deal.
The Red Devils have completed their third big-money capture of the summer, with a highly-rated talent lured away from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Matic arrives as a proven winner and a man who knows Mourinho’s methods well from his time at Stamford Bridge.
He also helps to bolster the numbers in an important area of the field, with another holding option expected to free the likes of £89m man Pogba to make more of an impact in the final third.
Former United striker McClair told ESPN FC on the Matic deal: “United need someone who sits there behind Pogba, who played his best football when Michael Carrick also played last season.
“Michael is coming to the end of a wonderful career, so United need someone who can do something similar but who will be more mobile in the coming years.
Is Matic any better than Fellaini?
“In the short term, I could see that someone like Matic would fit in. In some games, Paul Pogba has been in the wrong place and it has stifled his abilities which United bought him for.
Pogba managed nine goals in 51 appearances for United last season, with only five of those coming in the Premier League.
He also managed just five assists in all competitions, with it clear that there is more to come from him if used in the right position and given the freedom in which to express himself.
Matic should offer that, as a two-time title winner and a performer well versed in the demands of the English top-flight.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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brian mcclair Jose Mourinho Nemanja Matic partners in crime Paul Pogba Manchester United