Jose Mourinho has revealed that midfielder Nemanja Matic promised to join Manchester United from Chelsea before the Blues won the Premier League last term
The Serb swapped Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford last summer in a deal worth £40million having helped Chelsea lift the title in Antonio Conte's first season.
Matic scored seven goals in 151 appearances during his second spell with the London club, winning the league in two of those four seasons.
The first of those titles came under Mourinho in the 2014-15 season and the Portuguese manager says the player has vowed to join him midway through last season.
‘Matic last March in 2017 told me: ‘I want to play for you and play for Manchester United and I’m going to do it’,’ Mourinho said at United’s end-of-season awards dinner on Tuesday evening. ‘And he made it happen.’
The 29-year-old received United's Goal of the Season award for his stunning late winner against Crystal Palace at Slehurst Park in March and quickly took the chance to praise his manager.
‘This is a great club, a great team and we also have a great manager,’ said Matic. ‘My team-mates have helped me to adapt very quickly. ‘I hope that I can still improve to give something to the team.’