Nemanja Matic is happy playing in a 3-5-2 formation (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United new-boy Nemanja Matic is enjoying playing in a 3-5-2 system similar to the one he shone in for Chelsea last season before his summer transfer to Old Trafford.

The Serbia international has been used in a central midfield three so far in pre-season, with Jose Mourinho seemingly adopting a new tactical approach for his United side after mainly using variants of 4-2-3-1 last term.

His old side Chelsea, however, were immense in a 3-4-3 formation under Antonio Conte, whose smart tactical tweak helped the Blues win the Premier League title in his first season in charge.

Matic is a fan of the system but also insisted it’s important to be able to adapt like Conte did after a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last season persuaded him to shift to three at the back.

Matic has shone for United since joining from Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Matic has explained how United can take a leaf out of Chelsea’s book (Picture: Getty)

When asked if the setup could work for United, Matic said: ‘Why not? I think that formation is good, but we will see during the season you can always change.

‘Chelsea didn’t always play the same system, they changed after ten games (after losing at Arsenal). The season is so long.’

Matic added that he’s looking forward to playing alongside Paul Pogba in United’s midfield, though he wouldn’t specify how their partnership would work.

‘I cannot say what is our plan because then every club will know what we are going to do,’ he said.

Man Utd's pre-season fixtures

Man Utd 5-2 LA Galaxy
Man Utd 2-1 Real Salt Lake
Man Utd 2-0 Manchester City
Man Utd 1-1 Real Madrid (2-1 on penalties)
Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona
Man Utd 3-0 Valerenga
Man Utd 2-1 Sampdoria
Real Madrid (UEFA Super Cup) - Tue 8 Aug

‘But to be part of the team with Paul, I am very happy to play with him, and also the other players and we will see this season what we can do but I’m sure with hard work we can be one of the favourites for the title.

‘As you know already he is an amazing player, he is a very important player for this club and he is still young and he can still improve and he is going to be important for us.

‘It (defensive midfield) is more or less my position. Everyone knows where I play, as a defensive midfielder, more or less the same, so in the last six or seven years I play in that position and there is nothing new for me.’

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