So Mourinho has favorites. The Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic has been a loyal servant to Mourinho at Chelsea and Manchester United down the years. And he is seen as someone the manager fully trusts, but his form has been on the decline for some time.
Matic was below par in the second half of last season after a solid first period to his Old Trafford career.
Mourinho spent £40m to take him to Manchester from west London in 2017. But his lacklustre display in Sunday’s 3-1 derby defeat at Manchester City, in which he was to blame for Ilkay Gundogan’s clinching goal at the end, has sparked questions.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
United fans have begun to properly turn on the 30-year-old, who has been an almost ever-present in the side since joining. He started 35 Premier League games last term and has only missed three matches this season due to injury.
According to sources, Mourinho’s support of Matic has surprised some players and staff. The feeling is that the former Chelsea man is practically regarded as untouchable in the manager’s team, regardless of his form.
The Portuguese’s reluctance to drop Matic has caused some anxiety within sections of the United squad. And it remains to be seen what Mourinho’s approach will be with him after the international break.
Paul Pogba missed the Manchester derby through injury and has pulled out of the France squad with a thigh issue. As a result, he may not be available after the break, with United hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League next on November 24.
Mourinho’s hand may well be forced to keep Matic in the side, with £52m summer signing Fred failing to impress yet.
Ander Herrera has been in and out having suffered with injury too, as has Marouane Fellaini.