Former United Star Claims Trophies Were Not Club’s Priority | OneFootball

Matic Reveals Frustration Over Trophy Ambition at United

has lifted the lid on his five years at Manchester United, and the picture he paints is sobering for supporters who remember the club’s glory years. In an interview with The Athletic, the Serbian midfielder highlighted the cultural differences between Chelsea and United — with a stark assessment of what he perceived to be a lack of competitive edge at Old Trafford.

“The difference I felt after Chelsea was that, at Chelsea, everything was about the result and winning trophies. That was the spirit in the whole club, even from the man who cuts the grass. Roman Abramovich (former Chelsea owner) would only ask us about results.”

Chelsea’s Trophy Culture vs United’s Commercial Focus

Matic was instrumental in Chelsea’s title-winning campaigns in 2014/15 and 2016/17 before his £40 million move to United in 2017. What followed was a five-year stint devoid of silverware, despite his best efforts. He admitted he “arrived at United with the anger to win trophies like I had at Chelsea,” but quickly sensed a different environment.

“At United, it was more commercial-minded. I started to think that after a couple of months in the club. I understand that our salary needs to be paid, but I felt that the results were not the focus like it was at Chelsea. I maybe did two commercial jobs at Chelsea, at United it was far more.”

These comments lay bare a perceived erosion of the competitive DNA that once defined United’s identity under Sir Alex Ferguson. Matic’s experience suggests a club distracted by off-field priorities, even as results on the pitch stagnated.

Photo: IMAGO

Conditions Good, but Direction Misaligned

Despite criticising the ambition, Matic did acknowledge the infrastructure in place. “I didn’t see any major problems in the club. The organisation was very good, the conditions perfect.” His critique is not of mismanagement, but rather of misaligned values.

This reflects the challenge now facing Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has taken a minority stake and pledged to realign the club with a winning mentality. The arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach signals a change in philosophy, but the Portuguese manager has yet to inspire a sustained improvement in results.

Amorim’s Task to Restore Trophy Hunger

Matic’s insight should not be dismissed as bitterness. Rather, it reads as a sober warning of how far United have drifted from their original standards. Amorim has openly spoken about his desire to win the Premier League and is tasked with instilling that hunger within a squad still searching for identity and consistency.

Photo IMAGO

As Matic prepares to face his former club in the Europa League quarter-final, his words linger as a reminder of what Manchester United must strive to recapture — not just top players, but top ambition.

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For fans, Nemanja Matic’s comments sting, but they also ring true. There’s been a lingering frustration over the years — that sense United have lost their soul. We’ve watched the club pour money into players, deals, and marketing campaigns, but what’s missing is the feeling that winning truly matters at all levels.

It’s hard not to nod when Matic says, “I started to feel that trophies were not the focus.” Anyone watching United post-Ferguson could have sensed that. Too often, second best has been framed as progress. It’s not the United way.

And while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival has brought hope, fans are still waiting to see proof of that promised change. Ruben Amorim talks a good game, but the results haven’t followed yet. Matic’s words should be pinned to the dressing room wall. This isn’t about commercial reach or branding deals. This is Manchester United. It should always be about trophies.

We’re still proud, but we’re tired of being nostalgic. It’s time for ambition to return in full force. Matic might have left, but his honesty is a wake-up call the club can’t ignore.