Nemanja Matic wants Manchester United move, ‘very, very much.’

Jose Mourinho says that Nemanja Matic wants a move to Manchester United, “very, very much.” There seems to be an acceptance that the move will happen, with a medical due today. As well as that, Matic has been pictured in United training gear, and all the papers think a fee of £40m plus add-ons has been agreed.

A lot of people have seemed underwhelmed by the Matic deal. Yes, £50m is a lot of money, but by current standards for a top quality player, it’s pretty much standard, especially if you consider the Romelu Lukaku aspect, and that it is one title rival selling to another. He’s soon 29, but if he will play the same role as Michael Carrick, he should be fine to do so for another four years. He’s 6ft 4, so will add to the physical dominance United should have over most sides, and he’s also an experienced defensive midfielder with a hint of creativity about him. He’s not the most energetic player in the world, but with Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera with him, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Here is a picture of Matic in that woeful garb.

Mourinho claims he doesn’t want to sell Marouane Fellaini, which is a nice way of keeping the asking price intact. For all his faults, when you compare him to recent signings, at least Fellaini seemed to try.

A review of United v Valerenga. It’s not that fun, really, is it? Anyway, Scott McTominay scored. On predictive text, McTominay is Melpomene. Thom Yorke is Tiny World, and Andy Rourke is Body Soup.

In the comments then, please do list your favourite footballer names as predictive text spellings. Yes, it really has come to that. Yes, I do get paid for this. Yes, that is five minutes of your life you’ll never get back.