Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho hails 'genius' Nemanja Matic during win over Sampdoria

Jose Mourinho hailed his new £35m signing Nemanja Matic as a 'genius' after the Serbian played his first 45 minutes for the club in the 2-1 friendly victory over Sampdoria.

Matic impressed in the first half as he slotted in to a 3-4-2-1 formation that was very similar to the system employed by Antonio Conte at Chelsea last season.


It was Matic's first appearance of pre-season having previously trained alone at Chelsea and been left behind from the club's pre-season tour.

New signing Nemanja Matic made his first appearance of pre-season on Wednesday night

New signing Nemanja Matic made his first appearance of pre-season on Wednesday night

Matic, who will likely cost United up to £40m including add-ons, formerly played under Mourinho at Chelsea and his manager said on Wednesday night that the midfielder will quickly get up to speed due to his natural football intelligence.

Mourinho said: 'When you train alone you train just a part of what you are as a player so he needs time but experience, intelligent, a genius (in) the way he thinks, he thinks football, we will help him to be ready sooner rather than later and that's why he coped with the 45 minutes well.'

Mourinho also insisted he wants one more player to complete his summer shopping following the signings of Matic, Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku.

Jose Mourinho hailed Matic as a 'genius' after Manchester United's 2-1 win over Sampdoria

Jose Mourinho hailed Matic as a 'genius' after Manchester United's 2-1 win over Sampdoria

United want a wide player with the club continuing to pursue Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.

The United boss added: 'The squad is good and as I told a few months ago I was hoping for four players to improve the squad and the club did a fantastic job by getting three of them which is difficult in the crazy market where we are now, to get three out of four I thank the club for that.

'I would be happier if they give me four of four but they did a great job.' 

Juan Mata scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin 

Juan Mata scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin