After being appointed in May, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag tried to convince now Roma midfielder Nemanja Matić to remain at the club for another year.
According to The Athletic, ten Hag was worried about the potential lack of leadership within his squad and encouraged the Serbian to stay with the Red Devils for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
The midfielder was widely considered a positive and influential figure within the Manchester United dressing room—one of the primary reasons the Dutch coach wanted him to remain.
However, Matić triggered an exit clause in his contract this summer, opting to join Roma on a free transfer and reunite with Jose Mourinho for the third time.
The 33 year-old penned a one-year deal with the capital club, officially ending his five-year run with the Red Devils.
