Manchester United sign Nemanja Matic from Chelsea

Manchester United have completed the
purchase of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea
on a three-year deal, with an option to
extend for a further year.

José Mourinho expressed his delight at
signing the midfelder by telling United’s
website : “Nemanja is a Manchester
United player and a José Mourinho
player. He represents everything we
want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency,
ambition, team player.

“I would like to thank him for his
desire to join us because without
that, it would be impossible to have
him here.

I am sure our players and supporters will love him.

A big welcome to our new No31.” Matic’s signing represents a significant boost to Mourinho after United failed in their efforts to purchase Eric Dier from
Tottenham Hotspur.

Juventus were also keen on Matic but the player, who will be 29 on Tuesday, preferred a move to Old Trafford and being reunited with Mourinho, who was a key component of Chelsea’s title-winning team in 2014-15 after being brought back to the club in January 2014.

Chelsea were particularly keen to drive a hard bargain with United after missing out to them over the signing of Romelu Lukaku.

Matic said: “I am delighted to have joined
Manchester United. To work with José
Mourinho once again was an opportunity
I couldn’t turn down.

“I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and
would like to thank the club and the
fans for their support.

I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and to start training with them.

This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club.”

Matic’s Stamford Bridge exit had long
been expected after the Chelsea manager
Antonio Conte signed the France
international Tiemoué Bakayoko from
Monaco in £39.7m deal this month.

A picture circulated on Twitter purporting to show Matic in United training kit and wearing No31, which has been vacant since the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Chelsea had left Matic out of their tour to Asia to allow him to finalise a move.

He becomes United’s third signing of the
summer following a £31m deal for the
defender Victor Lindelof and the £75m
move for Lukaku from Everton.

The Serbian could make his debut against Sampdoria in Dublin on Wednesday or in the Uefa Super Cup against Real Madrid next week.

Matic was a key component of Chelsea’s
title-winning team in 2014-15 after
Mourinho brought him back to the club
from Benfica for £20.75m.