Scouting Portugal’s 2nd Division for a Matić Replacement
N emanja Matić has been a top defensive midfielder shielding the defence and building up play over the past decade. He has served Manchester United well during his tenure at the club, but they will soon need to find a suitable successor for him as he is now 32 years old and past his best years. Even Chelsea had got in Kanté and Jorginho to replace Matic a year prior and after his departure to United. He has performed admirably for them over the past three seasons as a defensive midfielder shielding the back four of their defence . However, United have a lack of players like Matic who can perform his role effectively. Also, United only have two other first-team players who are defensive midfielders in Fred & McTominay, neither of whom are exceptional nor of a similar mould to Matic. Given that Matic has recently renewed his contract with Manchester United for three years till June 2023, I have assumed that they will keep him around for that time period. During this period, United