Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek have both issued strong responses after Nemanja Matic announced he is leaving Manchester United.
The Serbian, who moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea back in 2017, will leave Old Trafford after five years when the season ends. In recent campaigns he has been in and out of the starting XI but has performed consistently at the base of the midfield.
Matic has made 183 appearances since joining United, although he has no honours to show for that as the club continue to experience a lengthy trophy drought. But last night he made his intentions clear, stating on social media: "After a great deal of thought, I have decided this season will be my last with Manchester United.
"I have informed the board, the manager and the players of my decision. It has been a huge honour and a privilege to play for this great club. A big thank you to the fans for their unwavering support. I will now give everything until the end of the season to help my teammates finish as strongly as possible."
Sancho has only been teammates with United for a matter of months, having signed from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. However he responded with a high five emoji to Matic's social media post and simply wrote: "Legend."
Van de Beek has responded in a similar way. The Dutchman is currently on loan at Everton but spent 18 months alongside Matic at Carrington. He replied by saying: "Legend my brate" following the announcement.
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Matic has been overlooked for selection on a regular basis with Fred and Scott McTominay, especially under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, being the go to pair in the middle of the pitch. Paul Pogba has also played there on occasion, but he's spent periods out injured.
A central midfielder was on United's shortlist this summer, but that may now become a priority with their options in that area further hit. Pogba is due to leave on a free when his contract expires which would leave the next manager with limited resources.
Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are two options who have been considered. The England pair have previously been linked with moves to Old Trafford whilst Monaco's Aurélien Tchouaméni is thought to be on the radar of Erik ten Hag.
