Nemanja Matic hints at Manchester United exit amid lack of game time

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 5 min read

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has admitted that he would consider returning to Benfica when he leaves the Premier League club. 

Matic made the move to Old Trafford in 2017 for a reported fee of around £40 million, following three years at league rivals Chelsea. 

However, before making the move to England, Matic spent three years at Benfica and it is considered where the combative midfielder made his name as a continental talent. 

Indeed, the Portuguese giants undoubtedly still have an impressive hold over Matic, who admits that he would consider returning to the club before he retires. 

“I’m still not thinking about finishing my career. Let’s see. For me, Benfica will always be in my heart. Let’s see what the future will bring,” said Matci when speaking to Sport TV.

“If Benfica ever feel like they need me again, let’s think about it. But for now, I’m happy at Man Utd. I don’t think about leaving, but in football you never know.”

The 32-year-old added: “If one day I return to Portugal, the only team I would play for is Benfica.”

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The midfielder’s game time for Man Utd this season

Could Matic leave Man Utd this summer? 

Despite signing for the club for a huge fee not that long ago, Matic’s stock at Man Utd has taken a bit of a dip in recent seasons and it’s not entirely unrealistic to imagine the senior midfielder moving on from the club this summer to pick up regular game time. 

Following the emergence of Scott McTominay as an exciting, midfield prospect and the return to form for Paul Pogba under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Matic has struggled for game time this season. Add the consistent form of Fred to the mix and Man Utd look pretty well stocked in the middle of the park right now. 

Indeed, since the start of the season Matic has only started nine of a possible 27 Premier League games. Perhaps a return to Benfica isn’t as far off for the Serbian international as he may currently be suggesting.