Matic admits Benfica are 'always in the heart' and leaves door open for return

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic refused to rule out a return to former club Benfica in the future and admitted they are 'always in the heart'.

Matic left Chelsea to join the Portuguese side in 2011 before moving back to Stamford Bridge in 2014. He made the switch to Old Trafford in 2017 and last summer he signed a new deal that will keep him at United until 2023.

The 32-year-old insisted he is not thinking about leaving the Red Devils any time soon but, when asked about where he would like to finish his career, he left the door open for a potential return to Portugal.

'I still don't think about finishing my career. Let's see,' Matic told Sport TV.

'For me, Benfica was always in the heart. Let's see what the future will bring.

'If Benfica ever thinks it needs me again, let's think about it, but now I'm very happy at Man United, I don't think about leaving, but in football you never know.

'If one day I return to Portugal, the only team I wanted to play in Portugal was Benfica.

'I was very happy there. Benfica is one of the best clubs in the world.

'I was very happy there in the team, with the fans and with everyone in the club.

'Whenever I have time, I like to go through Lisbon. My family also likes it a lot and misses everyone from Lisbon.'

Matic has been in and out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side this season with 10 starts in the Premier League and 26 appearances in all competitions.

The midfielder is yet to win a trophy with the club after finishing as runners up in the FA Cup in 2018.