Nemanja Matic neatly sums up Manchester United’s upturn in form in recent weeks.
The midfielder was considering his future in December but has now earned a one-year extension to his contract and talks have started over a longer-term deal.
The 31-year-old started only three Premier League games this season before the turn of the year but has become a key part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side during an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Using Opta data, we look at how Matic has turned around his United career – with a little help from a certain midfield partner…
Adding substance to style
Matic has always been regarded as a solid technician – his abilities on the ball and when distributing have never really been in doubt.
Even when it looked like his days at Old Trafford were numbered, one could still rely on Matic to be neat in possession.
But towards the end of last season, and when he featured in the earlier stages of this term, it was his effectiveness off the ball that raised concerns, appearing sluggish, slow and perhaps generally lacking fitness.
He is on the right track again now, however. Over United’s unbeaten run, he has averaged three tackles per match, a figure only Fred and Andreas Pereira can match – though the latter has played significantly fewer minutes.
Matic is also averaging two interceptions per match. Scott McTominay (three) is the solitary United midfielder to have a better record in comparison – but again, the Scotland international has not played as regularly as the Serbian.
Recoveries are another area Matic is proving effective in, with eight per game, the second-highest among United’s midfielders.
Fred finds his feet
But undoubtedly a key element of Matic’s renaissance has been the overall improvement among United’s midfield options, particularly with respect to Fred.
Even with Paul Pogba in the team last season, United’s midfield was a real problem area. They rarely lacked control, teams often sliced straight through them and not enough creativity was coming from the middle.
The same cannot be said now. While Bruno Fernandes’ introduction has obviously had an impact, a lot of it is down to Fred’s adaptation. The Brazilian’s well-rounded abilities have him excelling in many areas.
In 2020, Fred (546) is second only to Rodri (670) for successful passes, while his defensive side of the game has also seen him stand out.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk star has made 25 tackles, a figure bettered by only five other midfielders this season, 16 interceptions – behind just six other central players – and 92 recoveries, one shy of the leading figured posted by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Matic certainly deserves praise for seemingly saving his United career, but on the face of it, he is being helped by the fact he is now playing in a significantly more effective and cohesive midfield.
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