Ex-Manchester United star could make shock Old Trafford return next month after Premier League 'interest'

Ipswich Town are interested in signing former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic from Lyon this winter, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg on X. The Tractor Boys are exploring a deal for the veteran along with Como, Napoli and Fiorentina in Italy.

The Red Devils face Kieran McKenna’s side in late February at Old Trafford. The Suffolk club were promoted from the Championship last year along with Leicester City and Southampton and are currenlty in a relegation battle as they look to bolster their ranks with some reinforcements. .

Former Manchester United player Nemanja Matic wanted

United signed Matic back in 2017 and he spent five years with the North West club. He went on to make 189 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals.

The now 36-year-old, who has made 48 caps for the Serbia national team, has been on the books at Lyon for the last two years and has played 37 matches. Prior to his switch to France, he had a spell at Roma after leaving the Red Devils.

Matic has had two separate spells at Chelsea in the past, with a stint at Benfica sandwiched in-between. He played a combined 154 matches for the Blues and found the net on seven occasions, helping the London outfit win the league title twice and the FA Cup and League Cup both once.

What now for ex-Manchester United man Nemanja Matic?

Ipswich could see him as someone to add more experience into their squad. He would give them a different voice in the dressing room as they aim to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

Since leaving United, Matic has spoken about how Chelsea’s environment was more professional. He said last year: “At Chelsea, players acted professionally. They were punctual and were never late for training. But at United it happened almost every day. Among the players who would always be late were Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho, and a couple of other players. The rest of us who were always on time were angry so we decided to form a kind of an internal disciplinary committee with me serving as its president.

"I put a sheet of paper up on the wall where I documented the names of individuals arriving late. During one particular season we collected around £75,000 in fines. We had planned to use the money to throw a party in London but we didn't due to the Covid outbreak."

He made the decision to leave United for a new challenge before joining Roma. Matic explained his decision on social media and said: “After a great deal of thought, I have decided that this season will be my last with Manchester United. I have informed the board, the manager and the players of my decision.

“It has been a huge honour and a privilege to play for this great club. A big thank you to the fans for their unwavering support. I will now give everything until the end of the season to help my team-mates finish as strongly as possible.”

United are back in action this weekend with an away trip to Arsenal in the FA Cup. They drew 2-2 away at Liverpool last time out.