Nemanja Matic: I used to joke about Man Utd with my agent

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Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has revealed he used to joke about joining the club with his agent as a youngster.

The Serbian joined United last summer from Chelsea, linking up with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho – with whom he had won the Premier League title in 2014/15.

Matic has been one of United’s best players this season as the Red Devils were brushed aside in three competitions, with a number of the squad receiving heavy amounts of criticism.

And Matic has now revealed he once spoke of joining United while playing in Serbia as a teenager – though only as a joke.

“In Serbia I played in the third division [at Kolubara], which is like League One in England – probably worse. I earned £70 per month at 17-18,” he told the Guardian before explaining why he moved to Slovakia.

“I had the opportunity to go there and I said: ‘Let’s try it.’

“There is an interesting story because an agent wanted to take me to a Serbian club and I was not happy to do so.

“He asked: ‘Where do you want to go then?’ I was sitting at a table with him, playing third division, and I told him: ‘I wanted to go to Manchester United.’ He was like: ‘What is he talking about?’

“I was joking but it shows everything is possible.”

Matic has played 46 games in all competitions for United this season, including in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday as Mourinho’s side beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to secure a return to Wembley in the FA Cup final – their only chance of silverware this season.

Matic’s debut United season

Playing in all 34 of United’s Premier League games, Matic has been a defensive force in midfield allowing the more creative players to express themselves at times.

The Serbian has won 51% of his total duels so far this season, including 54 aerial duels and 45 take-ons.

Matic has also recorded a pass accuracy of 87% from 2,296 passes, 67.9% of which have been played forward.

United now face Arsenal at home in the league on Sunday.