Man United picked up yet another comfortable win in the Premier League, this time beating Brighton away from home. And after the match, Alan Shearer marked out midfielder Nemanja Matic for special praise.
The Serbian started in defensive midfield ahead of Fred and McTominay and he did a fine job in screening the defence which in turn allowed Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba to play their natural game.
And Shearer has praised Nemanja Matic for the work he has been doing for Manchester United in the past couple of matches.
“Rightly so the plaudits are going to Fernandes because he’s been the game changer and also Pogba has had praise,” he told Thursday’s Match of the Day, as reported by MEN.
“But I think someone who deserves a mention is Matic because the way he sweeps up in front of that back four and enables those two to go and do their stuff further forward.
“He’s the one that gives them that little bit of protection which enables those two to get ahead of the play and do their pieces of magic.
“They certainly did it the other evening and Brighton couldn’t cope with them. His passing has been fantastic and he’s stepped up as well.
“He also does his bit defensively when they’re under pressure and have lost the ball. There’s no doubt he’s stepped up his performances as well.”
Nemanja Matic has really upped his game and we think this is due to the assurance that Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba can work upfront without him having to focus too much on the attacking front.
But the 31-year-old is not getting any younger so Solskjaer will have to ensure that he can find an apt replacement in the summer – before Matic’s form starts dipping again.
Against Brighton, Nemanja Matic made a total of 89 passes, as per Whoscored.com with an accuracy rate of 93% which is highest amongst all the Man United players that day.
