Nemanja Matic proves, from the bench, that he is Solskjaer’s key to get best out of Fernandes and Pogba for Man Utd
WELL, we now know the man who brings the best out of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes - and it is not Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And we now know the man Solskjaer thinks is the most important in Manchester United’s midfield.
And it is not Pogba or Fernandes.
No the Red Devils’ scrappy, hard-earned, some would say fortunate victory at Crystal Palace taught us the answer to both of those conundrums is... Nemanja Matic.
Yes you did read that right.
The Serbian was reckoned by many to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, even before the January arrival of Portuguese ace Fernandes and the restart rejuvenation of French frustrator Pogba.
But it turns out we were wrong and he is the key to Solskjaer’s United revolution.
Boss Ole rested Matic for the trip to Selhurst ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, and almost paid a hefty price.
The fact the long-legged anchorman was rested for the showpiece against his former club showed how much his manager rates him.
United’s lacklustre performance showed why.
Pogba and Fernandes just did not look the same without the Serb sitting in behind them.
As a result, United were nowhere as near as dominant or threatening as they have been.
It is no coincidence the visitors looked far more comfortable following Matic’s introduction as a 63rd minute substitute for Scott McTominay.
He is not the first Serb to be happy to fly under the radar and the work he does for United goes unnoticed, while his team-mates receive the plaudits.
All those who wrote him off are now eating humble pie.
The same could be said for Solskjaer.
The Norweigan was also written off and not expected to remain in the United hot-seat after Christmas.
But after some rocky moments he is now clearly leading United in the right direction.
The man who crumbed at Cardiff is finding the weight of the Manchester United badge much easier to bear.
It shows you never can tell which appointment will work and which will not.
But Ole is looking more impressive and more the United boss with every match and Press conference.
Initially considered a stop-gap, he now assumes the air of a footballing statesman set to lead one of the biggest clubs in the game back to glory.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12146320/man-utd-verdict-matic-fernandes-pogba/