Nemanja Matic reveals the Manchester United player he most wants to emulate following his £40m move

The Serbian joined on a three-year deal on Monday

Nemanja Matic has revealed countryman Nemanja Vidic as the Manchester United player he most wants to emulate after joining the club in a £40m deal from Chelsea on Monday.

The Serbian signed a three-year deal to reunite with Jose Mourinho for a second time after being forced to play second fiddle to N’Golo Kante last season as he won his second Premier League title in three years.

Mourinho was desperate to bring in a holding midfielder this summer and Matic ticked all the boxes for him given he will need very little time to adjust to the Portuguese’s demands and tactics.

But it was more than just Mourinho’s influence which led to his decision, as Matic said the lure of following in the footsteps of his compatriot Vidic was too much to turn down.

“Vidic was a great player, he was one of the players I looked to be similar to because he had a great career,” explained Matic.

“He was the leader of our national team and it's great to be at the same club, like him.

Vidic led United to the Premier League title (Getty)

“I'll try to do my best to repeat what he did. I know it's going to be hard but I don't want him to tell me one day ‘what are you doing there?’”

Mourinho referred to Matic as a “Mourinho player” at his unveiling and Matic admitted he cannot wait to join up with the rest of the squad ahead of the new season.

“I feel great. Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I'm very happy because I'm now part of this great club, this great group,” said Matic.

“My wish was to train with Jose and of course when you have a coach like him and a club like Manchester, you don't need to think a lot. My decision was very easy.

“He's a great coach. When I worked with him before, he always took the best from me and I improved a lot with him.”