[Moved To Differently]

His composure on the ball is incredible. Sometimes he'll receive the ball off the defense and just sit on it for a few seconds, he's aware of what's going on around him and he's happy to allow his team to take up positions but it's not for a lack of decisiveness or technical ability because when there's a good quick pass on he almost always finds it.

I'm going against the grain but felt he wasn't as dominant as last week and struggled in parts. I thought both he and Pogba were 2nd best in large portions of the game and bringing Fellaini on helped (it hurts to even type that!)

In the first 25 minutes they were struggling to get the ball forwards because Mata wasn't able to maintain any width (he's obviously not a wide player) and was overmatched physically whenever he came centrally. We started to look more fluid when Mkhitaryan dropped deeper to pick the ball up. I wouldn't say he was struggling to deal with anything Swansea were doing, just at the lack of options to pass the ball forward in the opening phases of the game.

 

[Fracture90]

One thing I forgot to mention is that fact that he's bossing the defence and telling other players how to setup even tho he's been here for just 4 games. Also he's been doing that since his first game against Sampdoria. Great leadership.

 

[Sylar]

Hes fantastic. I thought he was good but hes even better than I thought he would be for us. Its like hes been with us and our players for a long time. His protection of the defence is great but its the freedom he gives the attackers. He get the ball and releases our attackers to do their thing.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

Another good display, much more confident now when we are being pressed.

Gave the ball away once or twice with overly ambitious passes when we were still chasing that 2nd goal, but guess it can't be helped given how many players Swansea had in their own half.

 

[sammsky1]

Quietly but clinically effective engine room of the team today.

Barely noticeable because he was so tidy in his possession and distribution of the ball.

Seems like he is the 'Cantona' of Mourinho's United, in that he is unlocking the potential of everyone around him.

 

[Akshay]

I'm going against the grain but felt he wasn't as dominant as last week and struggled in parts. I thought both he and Pogba were 2nd best in large portions of the game and bringing Fellaini on helped (it hurts to even type that!)

Yeah I don't think he was as good today as previously, but given the standard he set that's perfectly acceptable! Swansea didn't really contest in midfield for the most part and were happy to sit back even until 70 minutes in, so partly just the circumstances of the match.

 

[Norris]

I have to admit, I initially thought signing Matic wouldn't solve our problems, but seeing all the little things he offers us offensively and defensively, which has completely unleashed Pogba, I am glad to be wrong so far. Long may it continue. Still think we should play a 3 man midfield though. Herrera, Poggers and Matic would be a devastating midfield.

 

[Ace of Spades]

He has been great.

 

[BluesJr]

I have to admit, I initially thought signing Matic wouldn't solve our problems, but seeing all the little things he offers us offensively and defensively, which has completely unleashed Pogba, I am glad to be wrong so far. Long may it continue. Still think we should play a 3 man midfield though. Herrera, Poggers and Matic would be a devastating midfield.

Not for me unless it's in the big games. Would make us far less attacking.

 

[Giant Midget]

Quietly but clinically effective engine room of the team today.

Barely noticeable because he was so tidy in his possession and distribution of the ball.

Seems like he is the 'Cantona' of Mourinho's United, in that he is unlocking the potential of everyone around him.

I like to think he's the Carrick of 06/07. Better player, though.

 

[Adnan]

Good solid display again

 

[Prodigal7]

He's having an RVP effect on the team

 

[Burrow]

Absolutely magnificent. There was this one time over at our right side where he won possession, and I'm certain that 99% of our squad would've given away a free kick in the same situation. Really, really liking what we've seen from him so far.

 

[Lawman]

I like to think he's the Carrick of 06/07. Better player, though.

I'm a Matic fan and was a big advocate of him signing but for me Carrick was a much better player. Loving Matic being here though (great signing)

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

I don't keep count of stats during a game, but he must have made at least one thousand interceptions.

 

[Giant Midget]

I'm a Matic fan and was a big advocate of him signing but for me Carrick was a much better player. Loving Matic being here though (great signing)

Carrick's a better passer, but Matic has the close control to bypass the pressing midfielder - something Carrick has really struggled with.

 

[Geekie]

Kinda feel bad for Herrera that Matic just came in and easily took away from him the place he has worked so hard for. Immense player, his tidy interceptions are refreshing to watch.

 

[JB08]

He's having an RVP effect on the team

I agree. It isn't measurable like RvP in terms of goals, but for anyone who watched us last season v this season, the difference is staggering at times. He has a gigantic influence on the pitch.

 

[shamans]

I hope people's obsession with young players for the future is over now with Matic. When you need a player, you need a player. Not everything is an investment. Then again, even after RVP we have people complaining about 29 year olds being past it and old.

 

[Globule]

Another fantastic performance. I like the way he always seems to get a toe in to steal the ball away from an opponent. And we had another example today of one of his tackles putting us on the front foot and creating an opportunity. This time, however, Rashford wasn't able to do anything with it. That's one of the biggest differences between him and Carrick. Carrick was great at intercepting the ball, but it would usually be right outside our own box. Matic is winning the ball a lot higher up in general.

 

[Buchan]

What on Earth was Conte thinking, the absolute madman!

 

[Brwned]

I hope people's obsession with young players for the future is over now with Matic. When you need a player, you need a player. Not everything is an investment. Then again, even after RVP we have people complaining about 29 year olds being past it and old.

To me the bigger lesson is in appreciating the fact that you don't need a "world class" talent in his position to have a huge impact. That's not to downplay Matic but the singular obsession with Fabinho seemed to really obscure the fact that there were a number of players that could come in and offer stability and authority to allow others in the team to flourish.

 

[Prodigal7]

To me the bigger lesson is in appreciating the fact that you don't need a "world class" talent in his position to have a huge impact. That's not to downplay Matic but the singular obsession with Fabinho seemed to really obscure the fact that there were a number of players that could come in and offer stability and authority to allow others in the team to flourish.

I would call Matic a world class player in his position tbh...

 

[Escobar]

Quieter today but still top quality. I hated the phrase he will get out the best of Pogba, and now I think he will get the best out of our attacking players

 

[Charlie Foley]

Kinda feel bad for Herrera that Matic just came in and easily took away from him the place he has worked so hard for. Immense player, his tidy interceptions are refreshing to watch.

It's a long season, and Jose loves to win cups, he'll get game time! I get what you mean though but it's great for the team that our midfield can improve to the point that that happens.

 

[ivaldo]

Kinda feel bad for Herrera that Matic just came in and easily took away from him the place he has worked so hard for. Immense player, his tidy interceptions are refreshing to watch.

Wasn't really his place. Herrera is a box to box midfielder and Jose has simply decided not play with one at the moment. In the bigger games he'll be one of the first names on the team sheet I reckon, will get plenty of action in the cups too. We've got three genuine quality midfielders at the club now, how different from a couple of seasons ago.

 

[Cheesy]

I hope people's obsession with young players for the future is over now with Matic. When you need a player, you need a player. Not everything is an investment. Then again, even after RVP we have people complaining about 29 year olds being past it and old.

Aye. I'm all for signing talented younger players and hope we continue to do so when we can, but sometimes bringing in a very good player who can have a consistent and effective impact for two or three years is enough. Ideally it's best to combine the two; always be looking for future talents, while still nabbing key first teamers when they're available.

 

[Ashley R1+O]

Just an insanely classy player. The way he can body up near a player then stick out these telescopic limbs and win the ball is awesome. Sometimes from a couple of yards away unbenkowns to the player on the ball that he's mugging. Sublime, total Carrick replacement. I think he'll go down as an underrated key signing from Mourinho.

 

[LoneStar]

I love watching him play. He brings so many things to our team:
1) Leadership : I saw him so many times telling our other players what to do, especially the defence. Such a presence was absolutely needed, since most of our players are young.
2) Total stability in midfield : The way he gets the ball back when our team is pressing high, and recycles it is so pleasing to watch. Helps us retain possession and prevent counters.

The above two things, coupled with his composure, brings about a calming effect on the rest of the team. Obviously the player he has helped the most (directly) is Pogba and we are already reaping the benefits there.

 

[Norris]

Not for me unless it's in the big games. Would make us far less attacking.

Yes... I did mean the big games. But the same way Pogba is unleashed, I think we'll see a differenct side to Herrera's game as well.

 

[Dante]

It was his worst game in a United shirt. But he was still pretty decent.

 

[Dante]

To me the bigger lesson is in appreciating the fact that you don't need a "world class" talent in his position to have a huge impact. That's not to downplay Matic but the singular obsession with Fabinho seemed to really obscure the fact that there were a number of players that could come in and offer stability and authority to allow others in the team to flourish.

Matic is as world class as they come.

 

[Lawman]

Kinda feel bad for Herrera that Matic just came in and easily took away from him the place he has worked so hard for. Immense player, his tidy interceptions are refreshing to watch.

For me quite simply a better player and I got battered for having this opinion last year that we needed a better player to play with Pogba than Herrera. Don't get me wrong Herrera is a good player but just not top notch for me.

 

[Lawman]

To me the bigger lesson is in appreciating the fact that you don't need a "world class" talent in his position to have a huge impact. That's not to downplay Matic but the singular obsession with Fabinho seemed to really obscure the fact that there were a number of players that could come in and offer stability and authority to allow others in the team to flourish.

Would still like Fabinho as he would compliment Pogba and Matic in a 3 and he's also different from Herrera but could play alongside him as well. If we lost Matic to injury or suspension then with Fabinho the drop off in quality would not be huge and he can also cover Valencia. His signature would add lots of options and really add to our quality in my opinion. Pricey yes but would be a quality addition and could fill Fellaini's squad spot if we were to move him on.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

For me quite simply a better player and I got battered for having this opinion last year that we needed a better player to play with Pogba than Herrera. Don't get me wrong Herrera is a good player but just not top notch for me.

I think you're still wrong. Herrera was very good last year, and there have been stats posted that would have him on par with the best in the PL. Matic and Herrera are different players, where the former allows the men in front of him to shine in a way the latter cannot. However, as mentioned by quite a few posters, Herrera will bring the tenacity in the bigger games and I expect him to start most CL games, too. There's a reason Barcelona were linked with him, earlier this summer.

 

[Brwned]

Matic is as world class as they come.

We could have a circular and pointless subjective debate or we could simply acknowledge that some Chelsea fans weren't disappointed to see him leave, and there is a good reason for that. There are lots of bad reasons, too, but world class players typically unite opinions on their quality. That's probably the best measure of what a world class player is, in my view.

The only real alternative is just to take the position that everyone that can't see it your way is stupid and wrong, which probably isn't a worthwhile position to take.

Would still like Fabinho as he would compliment Pogba and Matic in a 3 and he's also different from Herrera but could play alongside him as well. If we lost Matic to injury or suspension then with Fabinho the drop off in quality would not be huge and he can also cover Valencia. His signature would add lots of options and really add to our quality in my opinion. Pricey yes but would be a quality addition and could fill Fellaini's squad spot if we were to move him on.

Agreed.

 

[Lawman]

I think you're still wrong. Herrera was very good last year, and there have been stats posted that would have him on par with the best in the PL. Matic and Herrera are different players, where the former allows the men in front of him to shine in a way the latter cannot. However, as mentioned by quite a few posters, Herrera will bring the tenacity in the bigger games and I expect him to start most CL games, too. There's a reason Barcelona were linked with him, earlier this summer.

Fair enough but using the Barca link is a bit tedious as unless they really chased him and made an offer then it's just speculation.

 

[Dante]

We could have a circular and pointless subjective debate or we could simply acknowledge that some Chelsea fans weren't disappointed to see him leave, and there is a good reason for that. There are lots of bad reasons, too, but world class players typically unite opinions on their quality. That's probably the best measure of what a world class player is, in my view.

The only real alternative is just to take the position that everyone that can't see it your way is stupid and wrong, which probably isn't a worthwhile position to take.



Agreed.

World Classed-ness is often something that's decided by reputation and being part of a successful team. Just look at Pique. Matic has absolutely everything in his locker - which, in my opinion, is the better measure of that designation.

Like Carrick, he'll come to be more-widely appreciated once people stop focusing on the obvious match-winners and look at the supporting cast.

 

[TehRed]

He didn't catch the eye as much as he dd against West Ham but he was still very solid. He brings such balance to our team, just look at how Pogba and Mkhitaryan have kicked on since Matic has been in the team. He will be a huge underlying reason to any success this team has.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Another fantastic performance by Matic yesterday.