Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has described his latest signing Nemanja Matic as a player who represents exactly what is needed at Old Trafford, but the former Chelsea player says he’s hoping not to be a disappointment to his compatriot Nemanja Vidic, who had a memorable time with the Red Devils.
Mourinho paid a whooping £40 million to lay hands on the Serbia international footballer.
Talking about his idol and international teammate Vidic, the defensive midfielder told Manchester United TV that he feels honored to play in the same club as his national team captain.
Vidic enjoyed a successful eight-year career at United, winning a total of 5 English Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League crown.
Matic says he’s nervous and challenged by his namesake’s achievements at Old Trafford, and hopes the decision to join Mourinho won’t be a flop.
“Vidic was a great player, he was one of the players I looked to be similar to because he had a great career,” Matic said during the interview with MUTV after his contract was made public on 31 July.
The 28-year-old continued: “He was the leader of our national team and it’s great to be at the same club, like him. I’ll try to do my best to repeat what he did. I know it’s going to be hard but I don’t want him to tell me one day ‘what are you doing there?'”
The two-time Premier League winner with Chelsea said he feels wonderful at United, which he described as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“I’m very happy because I’m now part of this great club, this great group,” he added.
Matic expressed confidence in coach Mourinho and the United squad, stressing that they’re his reason for making the difficult decision.
“My wish was to train with Jose and of course when you have a coach like him and a club like Manchester, you don’t need to think a lot. My decision was very easy,” the Serbian player said.
“He’s a great coach. When I worked with him before, he always took the best from me and I improved a lot with him.
“When the coach wants you to come to the club, it gives you more motivation, more possibility and I will for sure give my best to show that I deserve to be at this club and part of the group.”
“It’s very important to come as soon as possible, to have time to adapt to the coach’s wishes and new team-mates and I’m happy I’ll have some days to train with them before the first big game, against Real Madrid [in their UEFA Super Cup coming up on 8 August].
“It will be a great game. It’s going to be interesting, I think all [of] the world will be watching. They are Champions League winners and it’s going to be a hard game but I’m sure we’ll be ready.
“I think we can do many things. I’m sure we will try to win the Premier League and the Champions League, you never know what can happen in the Champions League,” he added.
“I’m sure that this season we can do big things.”
The Special One referred to Matic as a ‘Jose Mourinho player’ to highlight the understanding and cordial relationship they share all the way from Stamford Bridge.
There’s no doubt that Matic flourished best as a player under Mou’s tutorship; they won the 2015 Premier League trophy together at Chelsea.
“Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player,” the Portuguese tactician said of his newest addition.
“I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31.”
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