Jose Mourinho claims that Nemanja Matic told him in March 2017 that he wanted to leave Chelsea and sign for Manchester United.
Matic was an important player in Chelsea’s Premier League title-winning team last season, but was sold to the Blues’ rivals United for £40million in the summer transfer window.
After the deal went through, Mourinho expressed his surprise at being given the opportunity to sign the midfielder from Chelsea, saying: “I didn’t think it was possible unless something special was happening.”
The Serbia international has impressed at the heart of Mourinho’s midfield this season, guiding United to an FA Cup final against his former club Chelsea and a likely second-place finish in the League.
Chelsea failed to mount a serious defence of their title this season as Manchester City swept aside their rivals, and Mourinho now claims that Matic told him as early as March last year – before Chelsea were crowned champions – that he intended to make a move from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford.
At United's end-of-season awards dinner on Tuesday, Mourinho told MUTV: "Matic last March in 2017 told me: 'I want to play for you and play for Manchester United and I’m going to do it,' and he made it happen."
Matic won United's goal of the season award for his last-gasp long-range volley against Crystal Palace, which secured the Red Devils a key 3-2 win at Selhurst Park.
