Jose Mourinho must be amazed by Chelsea's decision to sell Nemanja Matic, Alan Pardew says

That is according to former Crystal Palace and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who believes the Serbian is the the best midfield anchorman in Premier League history.

Manchester United snapped up Matic from Chelsea for £40m last month.

He was allowed to quit Stamford Bridge as a goodwill gesture for his service to the club.

But Pardew was shocked by their willingness to offload him to a major domestic rival.

“[Paul] Pogba had to protect last year, he had to fill that hole but Matic just does it automatically,” he said on Sky Sports.

“He’s the best that I’ve ever seen in the Premier League, in the last sort of seven or eight years anyway.

“When he’s played at Chelsea he’s been terrific, he was terrific at Benfica.

“Now he’s come here to do the job, I was very, very surprised that Chelsea have let him go.

“For whatever reason he is here, I think Jose must be falling over himself!”

Matic was handed his first Premier League appearance for United in their season opener against West Ham.