Nemanja Matic has said Manchester United were more focused on commercial interests than Chelsea, where everything was about winning trophies. The 38-year-old, who won two Premier League titles during his second spell at Chelsea before joining United in 2017 for £40 million, made the comments while reflecting on the differences between the two clubs.
Contrasting Cultures at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge
The former Serbia international spent five years at Old Trafford without winning a trophy. Speaking when Lyon faced United in the Europa League last year, the Sassuolo midfielder explained the difference he felt after leaving Chelsea.
"The difference I felt after Chelsea was that, at Chelsea, everything was about the result and winning trophies," Matic said. "That was the spirit in the whole club, even from the man who cuts the grass. Roman Abramovich would only ask us about results. At United, it was more commercial-minded. I started to think that after a couple of months in the club."
United's Trophy Drought
Discussing United's failure to win silverware during his time at the club, Matic added: "We did our best every single year, the players, the coaches, but we didn’t win. If I compare how we did with United now, then we did great, but of course, United cannot be happy finishing second."
"United need to be winning leagues. We gave it our best and sometimes we’d get criticised, but I didn’t see any major problems in the club. The organisation was very good, the conditions perfect."
Matic's two former sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with both clubs currently struggling compared to their past dominance in English football.
United's Current Turmoil
Michael Carrick will remain in the dugout for United against Chelsea after being given more time to turn the club's fortunes around. United have won just one league game this season and have faced recent turmoil after captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped for their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth for publicly criticising Carrick's tactics after their 4-1 defeat to Como.
Fernandes' actions led Paul Scholes to claim the Portuguese star is finished at United after his "unforgivable" tirade. The 51-year-old said: "What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that's unforgivable. How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be captain of any team he ever goes to now? I think he probably needs to get away from European football and just go to Saudi, just get out the way. I don't think any manager, any member of staff can trust him after that."
