Erik ten Hag tried to convince Nemanja Matic to stay at Manchester United for another year, according to the Athletic.
The 33-year-old triggered an exit clause in his contract this summer and has been signed by Jose Mourinho for the third time in his career after joining Roma on a free transfer.
However, Ten Hag tried to encourage the Serbian to stay at Old Trafford for another year because the midfielder was viewed as a good influence in the dressing room.
Erik ten Hag tried to convince Nemanja Matic to stay at Manchester United
As well as Matic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani all left Manchester United as free agents when their contracts with the club expired at the end of last month.
Although Matic doesn’t cover the grass as quick as he did in his pomp, United’s former 31 brought a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to the Reds’ dressing room.
But the former Ajax manager’s quest to convince the Serbian to extend his stay at Old Trafford for a sixth season ultimately failed and the defensive midfielder has decided to embark on a new challenge in Italy.
The 52-year-old has made it clear that he wants midfield reinforcements this summer and the club continue to negotiate with Barcelona, in a bid to find a breakthrough for the former Ajax manager’s primary target Frenkie de Jong.
Christian Eriksen has ‘verbally agreed’ to join Manchester United on a three-year deal and with the likes of James Garner and Donny van de Beek returning from their respective loan spells, Ten Hag will be hoping to have several options to pick from in the engine room department.
Matic, who was signed from Chelsea for £40m five years ago, made 188 appearances for the Red Devils but never won a trophy with the club.
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