Matic green-lights Man Utd raid on Roma and makes title prediction

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reviews the Aston Villa game

Nemanja Matic has opened the door for Manchester United to launch a move for Tammy Abraham as the Roma striker continues to be linked with a move back to the Premier League. United are known to be searching for a striker after Erik ten Hag reiterated his desire to bring in a new marquee signing and Abraham could fit the bill, even if Jose Mourinho would be reluctant to lose his first-choice striker.

The 25-year-old has struggled to replicate the form from his debut campaign in Serie A when he bagged 24 goals in all competitions, finding the net on just nine occasions in 46 games this season. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, United scouts were keeping tabs on the striker as he bagged an important late goal in the 1-1 draw with AC Milan on Saturday.

United have been linked with moves for high-profile names, with Tottenham talisman Harry Kane and Napoli’s goal machine Victor Osimhen understood to be on their list of targets.

Chelsea have a buy-back clause that allows them to re-sign Abraham for £68million this summer after selling him for exactly half that fee two years ago. However, the Blues are not expected to take up that option with other targets on their shortlist.

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That could give the Red Devils a free run at trying to capture Abraham this summer and Matic has given his verdict on the England international if he decides to head to Old Trafford.

“He’s a young player who is still improving,” Matic said of his Roma team-mate. “He’s not scoring like he did last season, but everything can change in the last month.

“Now we have the most important games of the season and he just needs to believe, continue to work, and the goals will come.”

Matic, who spent five seasons in Manchester before leaving in 2021 for Italian outfit Roma, has been keeping a close eye on his former club’s progress under Erik ten Hag as the Dutchman aims to close the gap on Manchester City at the top.

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Ten Hag helped United end their six-year wait for silverware by clinching the Carabao Cup earlier this season and the club still have the FA Cup final against City to prepare for.

And the Serbian enforcer, 33, has backed United to show their true credentials next season with a title challenge after praising the impact of Ten Hag.

“I like the way he wants to play, I like the way United are playing,” he added. “They have had some ups and downs and that is normal with a new manager.

“But I’m happy with how they have progressed and I think next season they will fight for the title [next season] for sure.”

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