Nemanja Matic: Chelsea Prioritized Trophies While Man United Focused on Commercial Interests
Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic has stirred the pot ahead of the Europa League quarter-final by claiming that Chelsea fostered a stronger winning culture compared to Manchester United, where he felt the focus shifted towards commercial interests.
As Matic prepares to face his former club United, he reflected on his time at both teams in an interview with The Athletic. While he enjoyed his stint at Old Trafford, he expressed a growing concern that the club’s priorities had changed since his arrival.
“At Chelsea, everything was about the result and winning trophies. That was the spirit throughout the club, even down to the man who cuts the grass,” Matic stated. He recalled how Roman Abramovich, the former owner, would consistently inquire about the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of success.
In contrast, Matic noted that at United, the atmosphere felt more commercially driven. “I started to think that after a couple of months at the club. I understand that salaries need to be paid, but I felt that results were not the focus like they were at Chelsea,” he explained.
While he acknowledged that both clubs require financial stability, Matic felt that his drive to win trophies at United began to fade. “I arrived at United with the anger to win trophies like I had at Chelsea, but gradually, I started to feel that trophies were not the focus.”
Matic’s words resonate with many United fans, especially in light of recent ownership changes that have seemingly prioritized financial considerations over on-field performance. With the Europa League being the last competition Manchester United can still contend for this season, Matic and Lyon are determined to thwart their ambitions.
The French club will host United in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday, before the teams meet again at Old Trafford for the return leg next week.
