Jose Mourinho has signed three players during the summer transfer window (Picture: Getty)

Steven Gerrard insists Nemanja Matic will turn out to be an ‘excellent’ signing for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

Matic completed his move to Old Trafford at the end of last month following three hugely successful years at Stamford Bridge.

The Serbian helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles in the space of three years but signed a contract with United after Roman Abramovich sanctioned his departure.

Mourinho is hoping to secure a fourth summer signing before the window closes but Gerrard feels United are already in a fine position to mount a title challenge.

Speaking on BT Sport, the Liverpool legend said: ‘Romelu Lukaku is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League and Matic, for me, is an excellent signing.

Nemanja Matic put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Steven Gerrard believes Matic can thrive at Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

‘It was only going to be a matter of time before Jose went out and got those pieces of the jigsaw that would make United stronger and able to compete at the top of the league again.

‘It certainly looks like they’re moving in that direction now.’

When asked whether United would be pressing for a title during the 2017-18 campaign, Gerrard added: ‘Yes, for sure.’

Having signed powerful players in Lukaku, Matic and Victor Lindelof this summer Glenn Hoddle says Mourinho is turning United into a replica of his 2004-05 Chelsea side.

Premier League 2017/18 opening day fixtures

Saturday 12 August

Watford v Liverpool - 12.30
Chelsea v Burnley - 15.00
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield - 15.00
Everton v Stoke City - 15.00
Southampton v Swansea City - 15.00
West Brom v Bournemouth - 15.00
Brighton v Manchester City - 17.30

Sunday 13 August

Newcastle v Tottenham - 13.30
Manchester United v West Ham - 16.00

‘Nemanja Matic is 6ft 4in, Romelu Lukaku is 6ft 3in, Victor Lindelof is 6ft 1in. It may not be what Manchester United fans have been traditionally used to, it may be a step away from the panache and flair on which they have been brought up, but Jose Mourinho is building something,’ Hoddle told the Daily Mail.

‘It looks almost like a machine, a team of strong, physical, battle-hardened players to get him through the winter. And that may be enough to get United back in the game to challenge for the title.

Glenn Hoddle praised Mourinho’s summer activity (Picture: Getty)

‘What Mourinho is constructing …something more like his first Chelsea team of 2004-05. Then he had Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba down the spine of his team.

‘Don’t get me wrong, they were capable of some fine, skilful football. The finesse came from Damien Duff and Arjen Robben. But they also overpowered and overwhelmed opponents.’

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