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Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likes one thing Nemanja Matic does in training
Manchester United have extended Nemanja Matic's contract until 2023.
Nemanja Matic's return to form has been an intriguing sub-plot of Manchester United's season. The former Chelsea midfielder had been limited to four starts in all competitions before December and looked set to depart in the January transfer window. He fought his way back into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-choice midfield, however, and capped off his revival by putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal on Monday.
Matic offers experience and provides the defensive shield that allows Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and co to pull the strings offensively.
But Solskjaer has an addition reason for valuing the 31-year-old.
According to the Daily Mail, the United boss likes Matic's vocal nature in training sessions.
Matic previously indicated that he believes he earned Solskjaer's trust by setting high standards on the practice pitch.
"I always try to be professional and give my best when I am on the pitch, it doesn't matter if it is training or a game," he told Sky Sports last month.
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"I've played football for a long time already and this situation is normal, sometimes you don't play and the coach doesn't see you as a first option. You can accept it or not but you have to be professional.
"You have to work hard, wait for your chance and use it. This is exactly what I did.
"Now the situation is different, the coach trusts me more. I'm a soldier and I wait for the instructions from my coaching team.
"To be honest, when you don't play of course you think about everything but in my head I always try to be positive. I always believe in my quality and I know if work hard my time is going to come again."
Solskjaer was delighted to retain Matic's services until 2023, and said: “I am delighted that Nemanja has signed a new contract, I know his experience, professionalism and leadership will be invaluable to this young talented group.
“We have great strength in midfield and Nemanja’s attributes are a key part of that. Nemanja has been here for three seasons now and really understands the values of playing for Manchester United.
“He remains hugely ambitious and determined which will be vital as we look to achieve our aims over the coming years.”
Matic will be hoping to start on Thursday when United travel south to face Aston Villa (8.15pm).
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