Lyon star Nemanja Matic has reflected on the highs and lows from his five-year stint at Manchester United.
Nemanja Matic, who will line-up against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals, has become a key member of Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon team.
The 36-year-old didn’t win any trophies during his time at Old Trafford but came close on two occasions when United reached the Europa League and FA Cup finals.
However, on Thursday night, Matic will be part of the opposition – doing his utmost to inflict heartbreak on his former club.
With a place in the Europa League semi-finals up for grabs, United go into the game knowing they have nothing else to play for this season but winning the competition would secure a spot in the Champions League.
It has been a season full of lows, though Ruben Amorim will aim to provide a high by lifting the Europa League in Bilabo.
Nemanja Matic highs at Manchester United
After making 189 appearances for United, there is no denying that Nemanja Matic became a trusted lieutenant under multiple managers.
Matic was past his best before he moved to Old Trafford after enjoying his peak years during previous spells at Chelsea and Benfica.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 189 | 4 | 11 |
In an interview with The Athletic, Matic revealed the high points from the five years he spent at United, including three memorable wins over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
“I scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Man City (in 2020) and Pep mentioned me a lot after that, which was good to hear,” Matic said. “I played many games against his side for Chelsea and United.
“I scored a winner at Crystal Palace in the last minute (in March 2018), but there was another game at Man City when we were losing 2-0 at half time (in April 2018). They planned to celebrate winning the title that day. At half-time, Jose (Mourinho) said to us: ‘Listen guys, they are ready to make the party and they want us to be the clowns. We don’t want to be clowns’. We scored three times and won 3-2.
“We also beat City just before Covid at Old Trafford. Scott (McTominay) scored an amazing goal starting from the middle of the pitch.”
Matic reflects on Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sackings
Nemanja Matic had no shortage of low points from his time at United, considering he didn’t win a single trophy despite spending half a decade at the club.
The Serb’s latest comments show that the only low points he can recall came from when United announced the sacking of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Matic takes partial responsibility, saying: “The low point was when any coach got sacked. I felt part of the responsibility when Jose and Ole got sacked. You can play good and bad in games, this is sport, but when people lose their jobs I feel bad, very bad.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/5DS0VyF