Nemanja Matic Won't Start the Season After Surgery for Injury from World Cup

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic will miss the start of the Premier League season after undergoing surgery, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

Matic joined up with the United squad in the U.S. on July 22, but he was unable to feature against AC Milan or Liverpool in their two most recent pre-season friendlies.

After the game against their heated rivals, Mourinho told Joe Ganley of the club's official website:

"Matic arrived from the World Cup, holiday, direct to surgery because something happened in the [FIFA] World Cup.

"He has had surgery. He is out for the start of the season. He came from the World Cup with the injury and the time he had to rest on holiday was not enough to resolve the problem.

"I don't know how long he will be out for."

Per ESPN FC's Rob Dawson, the Serbia international was suffering from an abdominal issue, and having had surgery, he has returned to England to focus on his recovery.

Matic's injury is another blow to Mourinho, who has grown increasingly frustrated with United's pre-season preparations:

Between injuries and a number of his first-team stars' continued absence after their World Cup exertions, the coach has had little to work with in the U.S., per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

Though Matic is not without his flaws—he's often found wanting in terms of mobility, for example—he was a key player for Mourinho in his first season at Old Trafford.

The midfielder, who turns 30 on Wednesday, is a combative presence in the centre of the field and offers much-needed defensive protection in front of the back four.

Having brought in Fred this summer, Mourinho was likely hoping to also have Matic and Paul Pogba available at the start of the season to unite the trio as a midfield three. But if that is his plan, it will have to wait.

United open their Premier League campaign against Leicester City on August 10, and they are set to face Tottenham Hotspur before the end of August.

Both games are at Old Trafford, but they will be difficult to navigate without Matic and potentially some other key players.

Mourinho will be hoping the Serb is back in time to face Spurs to help United get their season off on the right foot.