Nemanja Matic, the former midfielder of Manchester United and current player for Ligue 1 side Rennes, has unveiled shocking details about the internal disciplinary struggles within the Manchester United squad during his tenure at the club. In an exclusive interview with YuPlanet, Matic expressed his surprise at the lax discipline, citing Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho as habitual latecomers, leading to frustration among other players.
Matic, who joined Manchester United from Chelsea in 2017, highlighted a stark contrast in professionalism between the two clubs. While at Chelsea, players adhered to punctuality, maintaining a high level of professionalism. However, Matic was taken aback by the lack of discipline at Manchester United, where tardiness became a common occurrence.
The 35-year-old Serbian revealed that he took matters into his own hands by spearheading an “internal disciplinary committee” during his five seasons at Old Trafford. This committee aimed to address the punctuality issues and enhance overall standards within the dressing room.
“At Chelsea, players acted professionally, they were punctual and were never late for training, but at United, it happened almost every day,”
stated Matic in the interview.
The two players at the center of the controversy, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho, consistently arrived late for training, leading to discontent among their teammates. Matic disclosed that, as the president of the internal committee, he documented the names of individuals arriving late on a sheet of paper displayed in the dressing room. The fines collected from these disciplinary measures amounted to approximately £75,000 in one season.
Despite initial plans to use the fine money for a celebratory party in London, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic thwarted these intentions. Matic’s revelations shed light on the behind-the-scenes struggles at Manchester United, raising questions about the internal dynamics during his tenure.
This news comes at a time when Manchester United is grappling with on-field challenges, having suffered their tenth defeat of the season against Newcastle. Assistant boss Steve McClaren had to instruct certain players to acknowledge the fans after the match, highlighting a potential fracture in the team’s morale.
As tensions escalate within the club, the focus turns to Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho, both of whom have faced criticism for their performances on and off the pitch. Pogba’s departure from the club in 2022 and Sancho’s ongoing struggle to secure a spot in the first team add further layers to the narrative.
In response to Matic’s revelations, the spotlight intensifies on Manchester United’s management and coaching staff, with questions arising about their ability to maintain discipline and cohesion within the squad. The future trajectory of Pogba and Sancho within the club also remains uncertain as the team navigates a challenging season.
