Manchester United unsung hero exposed transfer issue against Tottenham

It's an old cliché, but Manchester United's win over Tottenham on Saturday evening was evidence that while form might be temporary, class is permanent. Cristiano Ronaldo rightfully grabbed the headlines for his incredible individual performance, but he is not the only veteran player who deserves special praise for his contribution to the match.

While the win was decided by Ronaldo's clutch moments at three crucial stages of the game, he was only able to do so because he had been given such a solid platform to perform by the tireless work in midfield behind him.

In the absence of Bruno Fernandes, it was another stellar showing from Fred in an attacking capacity, but even his own performance was elevated by the unsung brilliance of Nemanja Matic.

READ MORE: Manchester United have found an unexpected Bruno Fernandes replacement after Tottenham win

The Serbian might only be a shell of his former self, but he still offers a unique blend in midfield and is unrivalled in terms of the defensive solidity he brings to the team. When United have Matic in their starting line-up, they benefit from a much greater level of control in midfield and a solid base from which to attack.

It is no surprise that when Matic is playing well, so too are the other attacking players, with Fred's latest eye-catching display owed in part to the fact that he was granted the freedom he relishes to get forward by his experienced teammate.

The problem for United is that Matic's shortcomings are so obvious. He is cumbersome, lacks agility and can often be caught out of position because of his physical limitations. At the age of 33, there is a common discussion amongst United fans that if they could somehow have a younger version of the Serbian, then many