Ahead of Lyon’s UEFA Europa League showdown with Manchester United, former Red Devil Nemanja Matic has shared some revealing insights about his five-year stint at Old Trafford. Set to face his former team in a high-stakes quarter-final tie, the Serbian midfielder spoke about the contrasting environments between United and his former club Chelsea.
Matic joined United in 2017 after a trophy-laden period at Stamford Bridge, where he won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. However, his time in Manchester yielded no silverware—a point of reflection that seems to still sit with him.
“We did our best every single year, the players, the coaches, but we didn’t win,” Matic said. “If I compare how we did with United now, then we did great, but of course, United cannot be happy finishing second. United need to be winning leagues. We gave it our best and sometimes we’d get criticised, but I didn’t see any major problems in the club. The organisation was very good, the conditions perfect.”
A stark contrast to Chelsea’s winning culture
Matic pointed out the clear difference he experienced upon leaving Chelsea, where the mindset was firmly focused on winning.
“The difference I felt after Chelsea was that, at Chelsea, everything was about the result and winning trophies,” he explained. “That was the spirit in the whole club, even from the man who cuts the grass. Roman Abramovich would only ask us about results."
He continued: “At United, it was more commercial-minded. I started to think that after a couple of months in the club. I understand that our salary needs to be paid, but I felt that the results were not the focus like it was at Chelsea. I maybe did two commercial jobs at Chelsea, at United it was far more."
Matic summed up his experience with a revealing statement: “I arrived at United with the anger to win trophies like I had at Chelsea, but step by step I started to feel that trophies were not the focus. Maybe I’m not right, but that was my feeling inside.”
Lyon vs Manchester United: A massive quarter-final
Now at Lyon following spells with AS Roma and Rennes, Matic prepares for a major European tie against a United side struggling for form. Currently 13th in the Premier League and out of all other competitions, Manchester United are putting all their hopes into the Europa League.
The first leg takes place in France, with the return fixture set for Old Trafford next week. For Matic, it’s a reunion with former teammates—one he’ll no doubt be eager to win.
Will Manchester United win against Lyon?
1 Comment (last comment by identty)
First read message
By identty 9 Apr 2025 13:29
Obviously when you've a board that sacks managers when they don't perform and knowing that you've to win something.. If im correct, I think he even won something at United and had managers who had the same mentality. Its a bit late to trow dirt at your old club.
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