Matic can answer his critics and prove his worth to Man Utd

Manchester United triggered a one-year contract extension in Nemanja Matic's deal to take the Serbian's stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season and reports suggest he could get another two years bolted on for good measure.

The 31-year-old looked to have been completely frozen out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the first half of the season but an injury crisis left the United boss with little choice but to turn to Matic to plug holes in his midfield.

Matic has since enjoyed a return to form, emerging as a key figure in the team alongside the similarly rehabilitated Fred during United's 11-game unbeaten run.

Here are three reasons why he is more important to United than his critics say.

Back four protection

Manchester United have been outstanding defensively recently, keeping nine clean sheets in their last 11 matches across all competitions and conceding only twice during that run. That resilience has coincided with Matic having an extended run in the side, as he has started in seven of those games.

In his 12 Premier League appearances this season, Matic has made 2.2 tackles per-90, marginally short of Scott McTominay (2.3) and Fred (2.4) while he has also averaged 1.3 interceptions. United's back four has enjoyed more protection over the past couple of months than at any other point in the campaign.

Possession game

Matic has always been a no-thrills type of midfielder, excelling at unglamorous things like winning the ball and distributing it with simple, rather than extravagant passes. That dual role of retaining and recycling possession is crucial to any side, however.

Of all United's players this season, Matic ranks fourth (behind Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire and Fred) for passes completed per-90 with 62.4 while his overall accuracy rate is at 83 percent. That selfless style has allowed United's attacking players greater freedom in the final third.

Experience and attitude

In what is a youthful United squad, Matic's experience is invaluable. The midfielder will turn 32 in August and the fact that the club are willing to extend his deal to three more years suggests he is a positive influence on the dressing room.

That there were no negative noises coming from Matic during his time out of the side adds further evidence to that theory. As a three-time title winner with Benfica and Chelsea, Matic also has a track record for winning trophies which is what Solskjaer will be hoping his side can do sooner rather than later.