Second half was better and top class, I don't disagree. The thing is the first half was very good when you keep the perspective of him being a defensive midfielder with his teammate up front being isolated and Chelsea attack us not just from the front, in his zone of responsibility but also pin us back with their their defensive line raise. He holds (the midfield) everything together, break up plenty of Chelsea play, got us out few other times when the pressure's piled up on us.(still made the mistake). You don't need to be flawless at top level to show your class.
31
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 49
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 6
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Dunno how to link an Instagram post but Matics post game picture is hilarious. He's using his hand to push Kante away from the ball by using Kantes face
EDIT: sorted
Destructo mode.His distribution wasn't good enough in the first half. He more than made up for it in the second half though...
The destructor in chief. The midfielder we were all crying for in the past decade. Wish he'd been younger.
Chavs were ripping hairs off their heads today for letting him go.
Chavs were ripping hairs off their heads today for letting him go.
I already explained. Distribution ain't just individual performance. He made mistake, but didn't mean he was bad. The team up their performance as a whole which means there was more options to pass to. People would remember that blind backpass more than the pass to Sanchez in the build up for the equalizer where Lukaku lost the aerial dual. Look easy a pass, but it requires Matic read the situation and position himself well to retrieve possession there. Why was it not Pogba? Because he doesn't fancy the holding midfield position in the attack phase, but leaves it for Matic.
The football game involved 2 teams. Chelsea was sharp and energetic in the first. In the second half, they lost the intensity. Matic still did his job very well in the first despite that. The second half was easier as thing just went our way.
Because Pogba is a Rolls Royce not a tow truck...
Good game from him
That's the point wasn't it? Matic did his job even when it's not easy to stand out. People were more hung up on his mistake like the blind back pass, then being in the right place at the right time and pick the pass well. Plenty more break up play, and effective professional foul in the first half. It was not flawless but not just average and should be underappreciated.
Point well made
Good moment to find some form again
Matic did his job for sure today and was well over due considering the poor performances in the last 3 months..
He was a beast defensively 2nd half.
Brilliant today, starting to think this midfield 3 could bring best out of him in the end as he had so much to do before that it is no wonder he lost some form and looked drained in last month or so.
Loved how he went to protect Lingard at the end also.
Loved how he went to protect Lingard at the end also.
He completely bossed it, absolute beast. That's the Matic we saw at the start of the season, everyone goes on about Pogba not playing in a midfield two, it doesn't help Matic neither playing with someone like Pogba in a two being dragged out of position. Playing him in a three is just as important as playing Pogba there.
terrific performance. Bossed the midfield like a monster. Him at his best is what we need till the end of the season. Also, loved how he took the responsibility to lead the midfield. Loved it.
One of his best performances in a United shirt. He was really up for it, absolutely owned it for us. Needed the youthful McTominay to help him, but they complimented each other well and allowed Paul to go and play.
I think that its great for McTominay playing alongside this calm and composed beast of a midfielder, there is a lot that he can learn from Matic.
He was the best player on the pitch today. Immense performance in the 2nd half. Hope he finds form again after a really poor stretch.
I'd almost forgotten what he looks like when he's on top of his game. Pretty majestic stuff. You sort of get Mourinho's miserableness of late. When everyone play's as they can, the whole thing works quite well. Take the intensity out of a Mourinho side and what are you left with? Get Pogba and Sanchez operating at Matic and Lukaku's level of intensity today and you'd give us a chance against anybody.
Best game in a while.
Huge game from him. Did everything really well and was part of the catalyst to our great 2nd half.
I like how he wanted to fight a chelsea player 
He was very good in this game. His defensive game was brilliant.
He was absolutely fantastic yesterday. He was everywhere recovering and intercepting balls. Kante got outperformed by two DMs in consecutive matches. First Busquets and now Matic. Where are the Kante fanboys now?
We need to see beast mode from him more often. He needs to find the same level of motivation he had in the last match also in the future matches.
Thought he was man of he match yesterday. Still prone to the odd moment of doziness - but generally strong, commanding and decisive.
Needs to use this small break to revitalise and reenergise for the big games to come.
Needs to use this small break to revitalise and reenergise for the big games to come.
Just shows how poor he’s been playing recently. Hope that wasn’t a 1 off just to stick it to his old club!. Fantastic performance though, we need that more often.
He can really unlock something for us when he plays well.
Spot on but Jose has been unlucky to be fair (Fellaini injured and Herrera form) left him short. So I can understand the 4231 but think now with McTominay we will see more a 433. By the way 12/1 to go to World Cup with England should not be sniffed at.
His poorer form the past several weeks i think is down to him holding the midfield on his own. Against the big teams he was left all alone while pogba was pushing up field, often being outnumbered with teams who packed the midfield with 3 players. With mctominay being used lately we're seeing matic performances improve
Absolutely outstanding yesterday.
Yea this. The 3 man midfield really helps. Pogba and Matic in a duo is just a no-no. They can't work a double pivot.
Fecking hero.
Crystal Palace 2:3 Man Utd
I nearly put my knee out of joint jumping. He could be hit with a lawsuit.
What a fecking hit, what a fecking hit, what a fecking HIT.
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