Nemanja Matic has announced this will be his final season as a Manchester United player.
Matic has made his intentions to leave clear in a message on Instagram.
The right way to do it
Matic has only been a bit-part player over the past couple of seasons and now is the right time to move on, although you could argue it would also have been right in 2020 or 2021.
Matic had a contract until 2023, but could actually leave on a free transfer. Rob Dawson of ESPN reports the extra year on is deal is optional, and he could just leave as a free agent.
He is not retiring, and will instead continue his career elsewhere.
With a new manager coming in, and a total rebuild likely, Matic s self-aware enough to realise he will not be part of it.
His announcement actually makes United’s decision easier, knowing he isn’t going to try and cling on for an extra season.
It forces United’s hand to actually sign a new defensive midfielder, a decision the club have passed on during recent transfer windows.
United signed Matic in 2017 from Chelsea under Jose Mourinho for £40 million.
He could end up starting tomorrow against Norwich, due to injuries to Fred and Scott McTominay.
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