Fred return can give Manchester United their future midfield template

Nemanja Matic is pure class. Whether it be threading passes through midfield, or giving dignified interviews after games, it's a real shame that Manchester United will lose someone of his calibre this summer.

Even the way Matic confirmed his impending departure was classy. He refused to leave things ambiguous like others have — Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, for example — and instead with an honest announcement, simply said what was going to happen. It was refreshing, albeit disappointing for United to be losing another midfielder, and a two-time Premier League winner at that.

You can't imagine the Stretford End, in the current climate, being keen to chant the name of a player who is leaving, but in Matic's case they did as he defied Chelsea on Thursday night. A repurpose of Nemanja Vidic's old song has always worked well for his namesake and fellow countryman and it reflected the respect United fans have for Matic.

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There's no way Ralf Rangnick can take Matic out of the side for the remaining few games of the season, even if the temptation may be to pick players who are committed for next season and beyond. The German's decisions on Pogba and Edinson Cavani have been made easier by the fact neither player is fit, while Lingard and Juan Mata have been peripheral squad members for years now. The other certain departee is fourth choice keeper Lee Grant.

In Matic, United have a player like no other in their squad and one who ought to show the club what they must sign this summer. In a sense, the 33-year-old is something of a throwback — a genuine screening defensive midfielder who isn't worried too much about bombing forward. Even United's