Football

Yaya Toure reveals Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic as his toughest ever opponent

Yaya Toure reveals Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic as his toughest ever opponent

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure believes that Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic is one of the toughest players he has ever faced, joking that he ‘hates’ to face the player.

During his eight years at the Etihad, Yaya Toure has faced some of the world’s top players yet it is the Serbian midfielder, now with City’s rivals across town, that stands out for him.

 

Toure is expected play his final match for Manchester City against Southampton on the last day of the season but has expressed a desire to stay in the Premier League.

Having joined Manchester City in 2010, the Ivorian midfielder helped the club win their first Premier League title in 2012 and then win it again two years later.

Touré has played against a varying range of midfielders during his time in the English top flight but Matic might be one of the most difficult.

The Manchester City midfielder declared: “I hate him, this b******!

“He’s such a difficult player to play against. Tall and strong as well. It’s been fun to play against him, even though it’s difficult. He’s powerful, he’s tall.


“To be able to find an opponent to play against me and stop me… there’s few of them, but Matic was one of the close ones who was able to give me problems.

“He can run. He can fall back. He can track. He can fight. He’s a good, good player.”

As well as facing some tough opponents during his time the Manchester City midfielder has also played alongside some world class players.

It will come as no surprise to many that record-breaking striker Sergio Aguero is his favourite of the lot.

“Everybody knows I have a feeling for Aguero. I love Aguero. This guy is such a good striker. He’s complete,” he said, speaking to the Daily Mail.

“I love David Silva and Vincent Kompany as well.”

Toure added: ‘I’m going to miss my teammates, I’m going to miss my little [Raheem] Sterling, my little [Leroy] Sane. They look like my babies.”

The Ivorian’s final home game for City will take place on Wednesday evening against Brighton & Hove Albion.

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