Nemanja Matic explains ‘very straightforward’ decision of choosing Roma after Man Utd exit

Nemanja Matic has completed his transfer from Manchester United to AS Roma, reuniting with Jose Mourinho on a one-year contract.

Matic spent the past five seasons at Manchester United, but recently confirmed he was leaving the club this summer. The attention soon turned to where he would end up next. Predictably, Mourinho wasted no time in getting his man again.

Mourinho had previously brought Matic to Chelsea and Manchester United, ensuring he spent the past nine seasons in the Premier League. Now, he has ended that tenure for a first taste of Serie A action.

Roma have tied Matic down to a one-year contract in the Italian capital. He will wear the number 21 shirt for them, like he used to for Chelsea.

Over in Italy, Matic will not just be reuniting with Mourinho, but also his former Man Utd teammate Chris Smalling.

He told asroma.com: “I am pleased and honoured to be joining this club and I cannot wait to start the new season with my teammates.

“Roma is a big club, with amazing fans and a coach, Jose Mourinho, who is well known to everyone – making the decision to come here very straightforward.

“I hope that by working together we are able to achieve some great things.”

🖊️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 | Nemanja Matic 👋

Welcome to the Giallorossi! 🐺#ASRoma | @NemanjaMatic pic.twitter.com/usnspSIHtW

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 14, 2022

Matic made 189 appearances during his time with Man Utd. Across his spells at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, he has played 159 times under Mourinho already. Now, there will be more to come in the season ahead.

United have already turned their attention to finding replacements for Matic – as well as Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata – in their midfield. They are linked with players like Frenkie de Jong and Matic’s Serbian compatriot, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Nemanja Matic move ticks Mourinho boxes

For the outside observer, Matic and Mourinho linking up again always appeared an obvious solution. But looking deeper into the issue, there are many reasons why it makes a lot of sense.

Roma have been wanting to sign a defensive midfielder ever since Mourinho took charge. He originally wanted Granit Xhaka from Arsenal last summer, but couldn’t get him.

Although Mourinho led Roma to the Europa Conference League last season – their first trophy in 14 years – they got there while dealing with some issues in midfield.

Hence, it makes sense for Mourinho to turn to a player he trusts, with Matic’s experience, to strengthen his squad.

Yet there remains a feeling Roma will be in the market for more midfielders. So it won’t be too surprising if Mourinho raids the Premier League market again.

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