Manchester United Defender Chris Smalling Says Nemanja Matic 'Can Do Everything'

Manchester United Defender Chris Smalling Says Nemanja Matic 'Can Do Everything'
13:49, 17 Nov 2017

Nemanja Matic has enjoyed a fine start to life at Old Trafford since joining from Chelsea in the summer and his United teammate Chris Smalling has praised the midfielder for the quality he’s brought to their side.

The Serbian was surprisingly allowed to leave Stamford Bridge, with his performances vital to the Blues lifting the Premier League title under Antonio Conte last season.

Conte’s side have struggled to replace Matic with Tiemoue Bakayoko still adapting to the English league following his move from Monaco, while Danny Drinkwater has been sidelined by injury.

Smalling believes the 29-year-old can do everything as a midfielder, as he lauded his creativeness and ability to break up play. The England international also labelled Matic as one of United’s main players this season.

The defender told United Review: "He can do everything. You want to give him the ball because he’s able to find the attacking players very quickly, but he’s also able to break things up and we couldn’t ask for anyone better in the middle.

"The fact he’s got good experience of the Premier League and Champions League is great for us and we were always confident it wouldn’t take him too long to settle in.

"But I think he’s definitely surpassed that because he’s been one of our main players and has been fit for every game which has been brilliant."

Matic is yet to miss a minute of action in the league and Champions League this season, which has shown his significance to a United side blighted by injuries in midfield recently.

Paul Pogba has been missing since September 12 with a hamstring injury, while Marouane Fellaini recently returned from a knee ligament injury he picked up on international duty.

Although, Pogba may feature against Newcastle United on Saturday at Old Trafford as he closes in on a first-team comeback and the opportunity to reignite his partnership with Matic, which contributed to the Red’s fine start to the 2017/18 campaign.

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