Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic has stirred the pot ahead of his side’s Europa League quarter-final clash with Manchester United by making a striking comparison between two of his former clubs. The Serbian international claims that Chelsea operated with a deeper focus on winning trophies, while at United, commercial interests often seemed to take priority over sporting success.
Speaking to The Athletic, Matic reflected on the contrasting club environments he experienced during his time in the Premier League. “The difference I felt after Chelsea was that, at Chelsea, everything was about the result and winning trophies,” Matic revealed. “That was the spirit in the whole club, even from the man who cuts the grass. Roman Abramovich would only ask us about results.”
Matic, who enjoyed two spells at Chelsea and later joined Manchester United in 2017, suggested that the culture at Old Trafford leaned more towards brand management and financial priorities. “At United, it was more commercial-minded. I started to think that after a couple of months in the club. I understand that our salary needs to be paid, but I felt that the results were not the focus like it was at Chelsea.”
The 35-year-old also highlighted the stark difference in off-field duties at the two clubs, noting, “I maybe did two commercial jobs at Chelsea, at United it was far more. I arrived at United with the anger to win trophies like I had at Chelsea, but step by step, I started to feel that trophies were not the focus.”
While Matic acknowledges he may not be entirely accurate in his assessment, he insists that it was a genuine perception formed during his time at United. His comments come at a time when Manchester United fans have voiced similar frustrations about the club’s direction under recent ownership and executive leadership.
Despite winning the UEFA Europa League being the only realistic chance of silverware for United this season, Matic and Lyon will be determined to halt their progress. The French side host Manchester United in the first leg of the quarter-final tie on Thursday, with the return fixture set to be played at Old Trafford next week.
Matic’s remarks are likely to resonate with United supporters, particularly as the club undergoes a transformation under the new partial ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. While the long-term vision promises a return to competitiveness, the short-term reality remains one of inconsistency and underachievement.
As Lyon prepare to face Manchester United, Matic’s insight into the mindset of elite clubs serves as a reminder of what separates perennial winners from those in transition. For fans and pundits alike, it reignites the debate over what truly drives success in modern football — ambition on the pitch or dominance off it.
