Nemanja Matic opens up on plans for Manchester United retirement

Nemanja Matic has opened up on plans for his retirement from domestic football.

The Serbian midfielder has already hung his boots up for his international team but at 33 is still going strong for Manchester United. Matic has often had to settle for a place on the bench this season but has still managed a respectable 24 appearances for United and has impressed in fits and starts.

Despite his advancing age, Matic does not foresee himself stepping away from the playing side of football anytime soon. Speaking to the United Review, the former Chelsea man explained his plans for retirement.

"I don’t know, to be honest," when asked if he will match the longevity of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. "At the moment, I feel great, physically strong.

"Thank God, no major injuries. So we will see. The first day I come to training and I’m not happy, that will be the day when I will stop.

"But I feel very happy. I like to play; football is my life. So let’s see. For sure, the next three or four years, I’ll be on the pitch."

Matic also explained his reasons for withdrawing himself from selection to the Serbia national team. When asked if the decision was done to help him play longer for his domestic team, he replied: "Yes, and also to give the chance to young ones who are waiting in the queue. I was thinking that was the time to have some breaks — when we have internationals.

"In the previous 10 years, I’d had a lot of games without any holidays, so I think I did right. Now, I’m more focused on the club, on my body, on my recovery, and that was my decision.

"From this perspective, I think it was the right one." Matic's current contract at United expires at the end of next season.