Manchester United Transfer News: Nemanja Matic Wants United Move, Top Rumours

Nemanja Matic reportedly wants to quit Premier League champions Chelsea and join Manchester United to reunite with former manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. The Portuguese is said to want to sign a defensive midfielder in this summer's transfer window and will consider Matic as one of three options.

James Robson and Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News detailed how United need to arrange a fee, and it's also said Mourinho has previously tried to raid his former club to sign the player: "Mourinho was keen on signing Matic last year but Chelsea coach Antonio Conte refused to sell the Serbia international, who started in 30 of the champions' 38 Premier League fixtures during their title-winning campaign."

A previous M.E.N. piece from Robson said Mourinho had made Matic his priority as doubts persisted about United's ability to convince Tottenham Hotspur to part company with Eric Dier.

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However, ESPN FC's Rob Dawson has reported how Dier is still under consideration for United, along with both Matic and AS Monaco powerhouse Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Dawson outlined how Mourinho wants depth at the holding midfield position to rotate with 35-year-old veteran Michael Carrick, who recently signed a new one-year contract.

The reference to Bakayoko in Dawson's article should be of particular interest to United fans. He is also a prime target for Chelsea, according to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, who has revealed talks have already begun to bring the 22-year-old Frenchman to Stamford Bridge.

Bakayoko moving to Chelsea would surely leave Matic free to move on. It's unlikely the Serbia international would supplant either the new man or PFA Player of the Year N'Golo Kante.

However, Chelsea's loss can be United's gain, since Matic is an underrated force in the middle of the park. While Kante has received most of the plaudits this season, he's only been allowed to chase and harass everything that moves because of Matic's steady presence behind him on the pitch.

The one-time Benfica man is disciplined enough to protect his defence and is efficient with the ball at his feet. Matic has a wand of a left foot, and while he's most comfortable shuttling short passes to more advanced and creative playmakers, he can also play astute through balls and boasts a wicked shot.

Of course, Mourinho already knows about the qualities of Matic. He used him to underpin a balanced Chelsea midfield and help the Blues win the title in the 2014/15 season.

At United, Matic would occupy the base of midfield and allow Paul Pogba to raid forward more often. He would also let Ander Herrera play closer to the halfway line, where his vision and technique can do more to influence matches.

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Signing a defensive midfielder with the pedigree of Matic would give United ideal balance in the middle of the park. Add a more ruthless finisher in front of a Matic, Herrera and Pogba trio, and Mourinho's men would surely be a force in next season's title race.