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ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN

Manchester United new boy Nemanja Matic set for debut as he travels to Dublin for friendly alongside Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba

Midfielder set to play Sampdoria after £40million switch from rivals Chelsea

MANCHESTER UNITED stars are on their way to Dublin for their penultimate pre-season game.

New boy Nemanja Matic looks likely to make his debut for the club after his £40million move earlier this week from rivals Chelsea.

 Nemanja Matic (right) is set for his Manchester United debut after travelling to Dublin
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Nemanja Matic (right) is set for his Manchester United debut after travelling to Dublin
 Paul Pogba and the United squad will play Sampdoria in their penultimate pre-season game
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Paul Pogba and the United squad will play Sampdoria in their penultimate pre-season gameCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

The Serbian joined Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Co as Jose Mourinho's squad are travelling to Ireland to face Serie A side Sampdoria tonight.

Lukaku revealed he was furious with best pal Paul Pogba - after the world record France midfielder sat next to Matic on the bus to the airport.

Posting a video on Snapchat, Lukaku joked: "You see it, Matic came and he left me".

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin reckons that Matic will be a key man for United - helping to release Pogba into a more attacking role.

The Irishman, who won seven Premier League titles and played more than 500 matches, said: "Matic is a player United have needed for quite a while.

"Michael Carrick has done a fantastic job there but he is not getting any younger and we’ve needed midfielders.

 Romelu Lukaku joked that Paul Pogba dumped him for the new boy
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Romelu Lukaku joked that Paul Pogba dumped him for the new boyCredit: Instagram/Paul Pogba
 Jose Mourinho has two more games to prepare his team for the new season
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Jose Mourinho has two more games to prepare his team for the new seasonCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
 Matic will be an important signing for United - allowing Pogba to push forward
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Matic will be an important signing for United - allowing Pogba to push forwardCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
 World record signing Pogba was in high spirits on the bus and at the airport
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World record signing Pogba was in high spirits on the bus and at the airportCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
 Phil Jones and Daley Blind arrive at Manchester Airport
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Phil Jones and Daley Blind arrive at Manchester AirportCredit: � Tony Spencer

"He's also a signing designed to let Pogba off the leash a little bit so, although every club starts the season optimistic, having seen United in pre-season out in USA and just judging by the general feeling in and around the camp, I think it’s a very positive environment at the moment."

After their match with Sampdoria - which will be played in front of more than 50,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium face - United play Real Madrid in the Super Cup in Skopje, Macedonia.

The club then host West Ham in their first Premier League match of the new season on Sunday, August 13.

Spanish pair Ander Herrera and Juan Mata both returned from minor injuries to play a half in the win over Valarenga in Oslo at the weekend, and each is expected to play a bigger part tonight.

David De Gea and Antonio Valencia, who both missed the trip to Norway, have travelled to Dublin.


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