Manchester United Squad Reportedly Question Jose Mourinho's Nemanja Matic Faith

Sections of the Manchester United squad are reportedly unhappy with Jose Mourinho's continued faith in Nemanja Matic despite the midfielder's poor form. 

According to Paul Hirst of The Times, Mourinho's seeming reluctance to take Matic out of the side has caused "consternation" among some players, especially after his disappointing performance in the 3-1 loss to rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

"Matic's slack marking on Ilkay Gundogan allowed the Germany midfielder to score the final goal in [the defeat]," it's said. "It was not the first mistake the Serbian has made during his time at Old Trafford, but the midfielder has been a near ever-present in the team since he joined from Chelsea 16 months ago." 

Matic started 35 of United's 38 Premier League games last term after arriving from Chelsea and has been in the XI for nine of the team's 12 top-flight fixtures this season.

At his best the Serbia international brings physicality, defensive intuition and an ability to play incisive passes. However, after a good start to his United career, strong performances for the 30-year-old have been rare.

This season he's struggled for form again and on Sunday he was part of a Red Devils midfield that was run ragged by City. His role in the third City goal was especially poor, as the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst relayed: 

Mourinho has spent big money on midfielders since arriving at the club, with Paul Pogba and Fred arriving in high-profile deals in the summers of 2016 and 2018, respectively. Matic, who Mourinho also signed for Chelsea in 2014, arrived ahead of the 2017-18 term.

It appears as though his best days may be behind him, though, as Matic has struggled to find the consistency that made him such an important player for Chelsea in two Premier League title triumphs.

Per football writer Ryan Baldi, at the moment he looks like an easy man to play against in central midfield:

What will be frustrating for some supporters of United is that Mourinho has options.

United have Pogba, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini to call upon, while Mourinho regularly praised Scott McTominay last season; Fred continues to be on the periphery too despite arriving as the club's biggest transfer of the previous window.

Football writer Daniel Storey has said Mourinho's choices in midfield don't bode well for the Brazilian:

Matic is clearly a footballer Mourinho trusts, and in what's been a turbulent spell for the club, it's perhaps not surprising he's leant on the Serb at times this season.

However, as Matic gets closer to the twilight of his career, he will benefit from being rotated. Midfield is also one of a few areas in this current Red Devils squad where there are options to call upon.