[kiristao]

Had a good game. Won the ball back a lot of times and made some good runs forward as well. Poor final ball way too often and takes too many touches sometimes rather than trying a quick one touch pass at the risk of losing it.

 

[Yagami]

He's seemed unhappy for a while here so it's good to see him being a consummate professional and putting in decent performances.

I think that was because he wasn't getting much game time before our injury crisis hit and Ole was forced to play him, no? I think he's happy as long as he gets game time.

 

[-Supreme-]

Matic has been key to our recent clean sheets, no matter how much we spend on defenders....without the required protection in-front of the defence we will always going to leak goals

 

[sammsky1]

I think that was because he wasn't getting much game time before our injury crisis hit and Ole was forced to play him, no? I think he's happy as long as he gets game time.

I think OGS was bit muddled in his thinking and communication about Matic's role in the squad. It seemed that OGS was trying to freeze Matic out like he did with Lukaku, which was weird when the other midfield options were Pereira, an out of form Fred and an inexperienced McT. As a Mourinho signing, that would naturally make Matic feel very insecure about his future at the club.

OGS should have treated him with more respect as a senior and experienced player like he had done with Mata and Young. That doesn't mean he had to play him every game, but he should have remarked how he was dependent on Matic to teach younger players what it requires to win titles etc.

I'm hoping Matic is retained next season, as an elder statesman and also given enough game time to keep match fit and ready. His recent form shows he still has a lot to offer as a squad player.

 

[El Zoido]

I wasn’t impressed by him, he’s so slow and gets caught in possession constantly. He keeps giving the ball away cheaply with bad passes too. Imo he was our worst player today by an absolute mile.

 

[gza the genius]

He had some good moments but he seemed to be pushing up way too high leaving Fred as the one sitting which didn't really make any sense to me.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Matic has been key to our recent clean sheets, no matter how much we spend on defenders....without the required protection in-front of the defence we will always going to leak goals

Completely agree! We defend better with Matić.

 

[Foxbatt]

He had some good moments but he seemed to be pushing up way too high leaving Fred as the one sitting which didn't really make any sense to me.

I did point it out during the match too on this. Matic was pushing up way too high and this was the space exploited by Watford. If he had sat back and occupied that space, then they could not attack us at all.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

Ok game, but can do better with the ball.

 

[AneRu]

I think OGS was bit muddled in his thinking and communication about Matic's role in the squad. It seemed that OGS was trying to freeze Matic out like he did with Lukaku, which was weird when the other midfield options were Pereira, an out of form Fred and an inexperienced McT. As a Mourinho signing, that would naturally make Matic feel very insecure about his future at the club.

OGS should have treated him with more respect as a senior and experienced player like he had done with Mata and Young. That doesn't mean he had to play him every game, but he should have remarked how he was dependent on Matic to teach younger players what it requires to win titles etc.

I'm hoping Matic is retained next season, as an elder statesman and also given enough game time to keep match fit and ready. His recent form shows he still has a lot to offer as a squad player.

In an ideal world we sign a young upcoming DM but guarantee Matic around 20 starts which would allow us to rotate and keep both fresh. I don't just trust Matic over a full season as a starter but his performances exhibit how important it is to have a top quality DM.

 

[Rozay]

If you had one of those digital editor things, and you clicked a few buttons to turn his skin a little darker, and change his hairstyle - you would basically be looking at Richarlison. They have the same face.

 

[SmashedHombre]

He had some good moments but he seemed to be pushing up way too high leaving Fred as the one sitting which didn't really make any sense to me.

Wouldn't surprise me if this was the game plan. It's no secret we've struggled to break down the weaker teams in the league and Matic has a much better through ball than Fred. He's deceptively good at opening teams up. Although tbf he did overhit a few today, but his pass to Chong near the end was absolute quality.

 

[Adnan]

Him playing more box to box was the right move IMO. He's better than Fred going forward and has a better passing range.

I wouldn't drop him now and would play him as the DM with Pogba and Fernandes, especially against the teams we're expected to beat. Then come the summer I hope we look for a DM to replace him. Someone that doesn't get a nose bleed going over the half way line would be nice.

 

[Isotope]

Him playing more box to box was the right move IMO. He's better than Fred going forward and has a better passing range.

I wouldn't drop him now and would play him as the DM with Pogba and Fernandes, especially against the teams we're expected to beat. Then come the summer I hope we look for a DM to replace him. Someone that doesn't get a nose bleed going over the half way line would be nice.

This guy is the answer. What a monster.

 

[Adnan]

This guy is the answer. What a monster.

Him or Zakaria would be ideal.

 

[tenpoless]

If you had one of those digital editor things, and you clicked a few buttons to turn his skin a little darker, and change his hairstyle - you would basically be looking at Richarlison. They have the same face.

Holy shit, you're right!

 

[Based Adnan]

Topped the distance covered vs Watford with 11.64km to his name

 

[Master Yoda]

Topped the distance covered vs Watford with 11.64km to his name

Wait, what are you saying? Are you telling me Matic did the most running that match?

 

[Based Adnan]

Wait, what are you saying? Are you telling me Matic did the most running that match?

He covered the most distance out of anyone

 

[RedIan]

Matic has been bloody great covering whilst mctominay was injured. About time a few recognised that, without him we would be no where near 4th place. he wasn’t at his best yesterday but neither was Fred and a few others.
but hes been class for 2 months plus And played every game.

 

[Dve]

Matic has been bloody great covering whilst mctominay was injured. About time a few recognised that, without him we would be no where near 4th place. he wasn’t at his best yesterday but neither was Fred and a few others.
but hes been class for 2 months plus And played every game.

One of United´s best players in January, but I don´t think he´s been equally sharp the last 3 games. The lines in my left hand says Matic will be back on the bench, then leaving in the summer.

 

[arthurka]

He should be offered a new contract. One plus one would be ideal.

 

[sp_107]

He should be offered a new contract. One plus one would be ideal.

This is the mistake we have been doing for last 7 years, Keeping average players. Matic is good on his day but he lacks pace and we were constantly moaning about this match after match and he played well for few games as he wants a contract renewal, now everyone likes to keep him. What happens if he goes back to old Matic in new season?

I think we have plenty of good DM players available in this summer so we should fix this position for next 6/7 years just like we fixed number-8 with Bruno.

Zakaria/Neves/Partey/Saul/Soumare/Tonali lot to choose from so better we replace Matic in this summer then wait for one more year.

 

[arthurka]

This is the mistake we have been doing for last 7 years, Keeping average players. Matic is good on his day but he lacks pace and we were constantly moaning about this match after match and he played well for few games as he wants a contract renewal, now everyone likes to keep him. What happens if he goes back to old Matic in new season?

I think we have plenty of good DM players available in this summer so we should fix this position for next 6/7 years just like we fixed number-8 with Bruno.

Zakaria/Neves/Partey/Saul/Soumare/Tonali lot to choose from so better we replace Matic in this summer then wait for one more year.

No it´s not.
Throwing experience away just because is always a bit iffy. He offers something no other player has, he is calm, good on the ball and help the defense sitting back. Our problem has been that our other midfielders havent had any attacking qualities if we aren´t playing Pogba but there is no denying that Matic has great defensive attributes. Keeping him doesn´t mean we can´t sign a another, we have gotten rid of so many players we clearly have room.

 

[Eyepopper]

What happens if he goes back to old Matic in new season?

Then we don't play him, and be in no worse position than if we let him walk for free.

On the flipside, if he continues recent form, we have a very good squad player for a position where we don't have many options.

Either way, we need to sign a new DM but we should also extend Matics contract.

 

[Andycoleno9]

If we have extra money then we should release him and buy new first 11 defensive midfielder( so go on quality option not depth).
If we don't have extra money and i guess that we don't because we need to buy attackers and maybe left back, then we should extend his contract. But on two years max( we will want one plus one, he will want on 3 years so 2 years is middle solution).

 

[Adam-Utd]

He's been a lot better since coming back from injury, but we shouldn't be planning on him being first choice next year.

I'm happy to keep him as a squad player but I doubt he wants to be that at his age. Ideally keep him 1 more year.

 

[Samid]

I've wanted him gone previously but would be daft to let go at this stage. Solid squad option.

Still need a proper DM in the summer though.

 

[AltiUn]

Him playing more box to box was the right move IMO. He's better than Fred going forward and has a better passing range.

I wouldn't drop him now and would play him as the DM with Pogba and Fernandes, especially against the teams we're expected to beat. Then come the summer I hope we look for a DM to replace him. Someone that doesn't get a nose bleed going over the half way line would be nice.

I agree with this, I think Matic would be the best way to balance that midfield and all 3 are very good passers which is something we've been crying out for, it'll help us control the tempo of matches. Finding a really good DM this summer could be a game changer, add a really good RW into the equation and I'll be the most optimistic about United I have been in years.

 

[sp_107]

Then we don't play him, and be in no worse position than if we let him walk for free.

On the flipside, if he continues recent form, we have a very good squad player for a position where we don't have many options.

Either way, we need to sign a new DM but we should also extend Matics contract.

So you want new DM/Matic/SMT/Garner for DM role?

I like the idea of proper new DM option like Saul,Partey,Neves,Soumare as it can allow our front 4 to attack more.

 

[POF]

I think he will leave in the summer and it is the right move. He isn't the right character for a club like United. With an experienced player, you want him to show leadership and be an inspiration to the younger generation coming through. I just don't see that in Matic.

He's a good solid experienced player and if you need a screen for the back 4, he'll do fine. But he's not the type of midfield player who suits the style Ole wants to play and McTominay is ahead of him on merit.

The biggest issue is that he's just too passive. That mix up with Maguire where they left it to each other just sums the squad up at the moment. Full of passive characters. The squad needs leaders and he is never going to be one.

 

[Master Yoda]

He covered the most distance out of anyone

I was just suprised because many people label Matic as static. That stat definitely shook me. If it wasnt for Matic, we wouldnt have been in position right now to overtake Chelsea. Matic didnt have a bad game ever since he replaced McSauce.

 

[R'hllor]

He has to go, this gold fish mode among some in here is just mental. For those who wanna new DM and keeping Matic as squad option, you must be dreaming, we are not replaceing players we sell let alone getting a new and keeping old toy in the same time.

 

[Based Adnan]

Not a coincidence our defence improved as soon as he came back into the side

 

[Eyepopper]

So you want new DM/Matic/SMT/Garner for DM role?

I like the idea of proper new DM option like Saul,Partey,Neves,Soumare as it can allow our front 4 to attack more.

SMT isn't really a DM.

Garner should probably go on loan somewhere next year seeing as he hasn't really got a look in at first team level yet, I certainly wouldn't want to lump too high expectations on him just yet.

So New DM & Matic to share the position next year, ideally with Garner ready to come back & replace Matic in a year.

 

[Scholsey2004]

I'd activate his one year extension. It'd put off buying a new midfielder for a season and possibly permanently if Garner matures into a quality player. Matic has played quite well recently although I'd always pick Fred and McTominay ahead of him. And if he's determined to leave at least we'd get a fee for him. Inter seem interested and we've done plenty of business with them recently.

 

[MikeKing]

I'd activate his one year extension. It'd put off buying a new midfielder for a season and possibly permanently if Garner matures into a quality player. Matic has played quite well recently although I'd always pick Fred and McTominay ahead of him. And if he's determined to leave at least we'd get a fee for him. Inter seem interested and we've done plenty of business with them recently.

That is risky. Matic is doing well because the expectations has been lowered. As a back up for McTominay in a side that is challenging for top 4 he is quite decent. He was never as shit as claimed. But change the narrative a bit, and If our expectation was to challenge for the league we'd be looking at Matic in a completely different light, which is what happened. He isn't shit, has good attitude and should stay if he is ok with being a squad player but we absolutely need a midfielder. Possibly even two, depending on if Matic is satisfied with playing less. We simply can't go forward with Matic playing more than he has done this season, he isn't good enough and it wont end well.

 

[2 man midfield]

He was Lingard bad for a not insignificant period, but seems to have turned it around. I wanted him out the door last summer, but he's definitely earned another season. Hopefully we can sign a DM so he doesn't have to play so much though.

 

[Scholsey2004]

That is risky. Matic is doing well because the expectations has been lowered. As a back up for McTominay in a side that is challenging for top 4 he is quite decent. He was never as shit as claimed. But change the narrative a bit, and If our expectation was to challenge for the league we'd be looking at Matic in a completely different light, which is what happened. He isn't shit, has good attitude and should stay if he is ok with being a squad player but we absolutely need a midfielder. Possibly even two, depending on if Matic is satisfied with playing less. We simply can't go forward with Matic playing more than he has done this season, he isn't good enough and it wont end well.

I suspect we're looking at Grealish and Fernandes playing as 2 of our 3 midfielders next season. So with Fred and McTominay competing in there as well as Matic(6), Pereira (8), Mata (10) and Garner (6/8) I don't think we'd be short qualitively or quantitively. If we brought in Grealish and Sancho or Maddison I think we'd be pretty much set.

Obviously how well we sell will count for a lot. We've still got a lot of players who need moving on.

 

[Scholsey2004]

I was just suprised because many people label Matic as static. That stat definitely shook me. If it wasnt for Matic, we wouldnt have been in position right now to overtake Chelsea. Matic didnt have a bad game ever since he replaced McSauce.

Yeah but midfield is a long distance runners position rather than a sprinters. There's nothing remarkable about your CM coming top in terms of distance covered. They're constantly moving to create and deny passing angles.