Matic has 'nothing to prove' to Chelsea following £40m sale to Man Utd

Nemanja Matic insists he has nothing to prove to Chelsea as he prepares to return to Stamford Bridge with Manchester United.

The Serbian midfielder was considered surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte over the summer, with a £40 million transfer taking him to Old Trafford.

Red Devils 2/1 for victory

Matic has impressed in new surroundings, with his presence considered to have aided United while his absence has contributed to an inconsistent period for the Blues.

The 29-year-old will get another opportunity to show his former club what they are missing when United head to west London on Sunday, but the two-time Premier League title winner insists he has no added incentive to impress.

Matic told reporters ahead of the heavyweight encounter: “When I played there I showed my quality. We won the title twice, we also won cups. So I don’t need to prove anything to them - I need to prove it to my new club.

Playing Surface/Getty

“I spent a good time at Chelsea, three-and-a-half years is a long time, so, of course, it means a lot to me to go back. It’s going to be something special to play again in the stadium. 

“But now I’m on the other side, I’m a Manchester United player. I’m a professional and I’m going to do my best against them to get three points for my team. We know how important this game is.”

United will face Chelsea with two old adversaries coming off the back of contrasting experiences in Europe. The Red Devils eased their way past Benfica 2-0 at Old Trafford, while the Blues suffered a 3-0 humbling away at Roma.

In the wake of an abject defensive display on Italian soil, former United star Phil Neville suggested that Matic’s departure has been a major contributing factor to the struggles of a side who were so dominant domestically in 2016-17.

He told BBC 5Live: “What’s gone wrong for Chelsea? One word: Matic. It’s as simple as that.

“The minute they sold Matic was a mistake. Whoever made that decision needs sacking. That is one of the poorest decisions I have ever seen in the Premier League. 

“If you ask any of those Chelsea players who they would want back, they would say ‘Matic’.”