Manchester United turn attention to Roma's Radja Nainggolan instead of Chelsea enforcer Nemanja Matic - but how do the duo compare statswise?

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Manchester United and Chelsea are set for a transfer tussle as both sides line up approaches for Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

From United's perspective, the move is a fascinating one as Jose Mourinho has been strongly linked with a move for Chelsea's Nemanja Matic, who Mourinho coached at Stamford Bridge.

But if it is Chelsea who land Nainggolan, that could push Nemanja Matic further down the pecking order and possibly closer to Old Trafford. But how do the two central midfielders compare?

Manchester United have turned attention to signing Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan 

United have previously been strongly linked with a move for Chelsea's Nemanja Matic

Based upon last season's stats, Nainggolan's eye for goal is much sharper than Matic. 

The Belgium international scored 11 times for Roma last season, compared to Matic's solitary league strike for Chelsea against Middlesbrough.

But Matic was a marginally more creative presence, providing seven assists compared to five by Nainggolan.

Matic conceded less fouls than Nainggolan but the Belgian won five more tackles, 56, than Matic, 51.

Matic won 13 more interceptions (50) than Nainggolan and was also tidier in possession, completing 87.7 per cent of his 1865 passes last season. 

Nainggolan completed just over 80 per cent of the 1521 he attempted to play.

Nainggolan scored an impressive 11 times for Roma last season - Matic netted only once 

Matic (left) made more interceptions and completed more passes than Nainggolan 

Nainggolan is open to a departure from Roma and is also said to be of interest to Inter Milan, but his current employers do not want to risk unsettling their vociferous fanbase by selling him to a fellow Serie A rival.

If United lose out, they could also choose to step up their attempts to prize Eric Dier from Tottenham.