'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Three defeats in four matches have left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United dumped out of the FA Cup, and have dealt them a huge blow in the race for the top 4.
The Solskjaer fairy tale was eventually going to come to an end. Just days after the club announced the Norwegian's appointment as permanent manager, United eked out an unconvincing 2-1 win over Watford, and lost at Molineux to Wolves by the same scoreline.
Nemanja Matic in particular was dull against the Hornets. Pogba and Herrera had poor games as well, and as a result, Watford's midfield trio of Doucoure, Hughes and Capoue controlled the midfield.
Matic was one of the Red Devils' best outfield players in his debut season, but the Serbian has been very underwhelming this time around.
The 30-year-old was one among several under-performing stars in the first half of the campaign under Mourinho. Jose's relationship with Matic, having also managed him at Chelsea, was probably the only thing that kept him in the team.
Solskjaer's arrival provided a spark to him, as it did to most of the players. He started performing at the level that fans had gotten used to last season, before a dip in form coincided with United's recent defeats to Arsenal and Wolves.
There's no doubt that he's a fantastic player when he's at his best, but he's starting to look like he's past his prime. Here are 3 reasons why Matic's time at Old Trafford is coming to an end:
#3 He has lost his pace
Matic has never been the fastest player to begin with, relying more on his positioning and tactical intelligence to break up play, but you need a decent amount of pace to survive in the Premier League, and he seems to have lost that this season.
Following the World Cup in Russia, Matic underwent an abdominal surgery during United's pre-season tour in America that ruled him out for the first few games of the season.
It was a nagging issue that he'd carried over from the previous season, and one that had to be addressed quickly.
With teams in the bottom half of the Premier League increasingly relying on a high press to win possession, Matic found it hard to cope when the intensity was raised by a notch.
Speed and agility are required to evade a press, and Matic's lack of those qualities makes him vulnerable in the moments after he wins possession.
#2 Not suited to counter-attacking
Matic is a great midfield enforcer, and he did play in a counter-attacking team under Mourinho at Chelsea.
But with his age, he's lost his pace, and he's also lost his ability to move the ball quickly. Solskjaer's Manchester United like to control possession against lesser opposition, but they'd be foolish not to utilise the pace of Rashford, Martial, Lukaku, Lingard and Pogba on the break.
Sitting deep helped Solskjaer record impressive wins against Tottenham and Arsenal, and also in the comeback against PSG in Paris.
Considering how well it's served him so far, we can probably expect him to take the same pragmatic approach against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.
It's becoming necessary these days for holding midfielders to be more dynamic and purposeful on the ball, especially when launching a counter. Matic is just not that player anymore.
#1 McTominay's form
Scott McTominay broke into the first team last season, and wasn't exactly a fan favourite thanks to his uninspiring style of play.
Like Matic, he's defensively solid, and he keeps his passing simple and short, and that's exactly why he's a great holding midfielder.
He had an opportunity to impress Solskjaer in the absence of Matic against PSG in the second leg, and he took it with both hands, shielding the defence against a talented attack with the ease of a veteran.
After the Serbian's poor display against Watford, Solskjaer duly gave him another chance against Wolves. While defensive errors by his teammates led to an unnecessary and costly defeat, McTominay himself impressed in midfield, and scored a very well taken first Premier League goal.
The 22 year old has slowly gained confidence on the ball over the course of this season, and after the match against Wolves, he's likely going to keep his place in the starting XI against Barcelona.
Matic has had his moments in a red shirt, especially in his first season, but unless he's fine with a secondary role in Solskjaer's team, his time at United seems to be coming to an end.
