Atletico Madrid join the race to sign out of favor Man United midfielder in January

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder has been unable to nail down a first-team spot under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the Old Trafford stadium this season.

Atletico Madrid are set to rival the likes AC Milan to try and acquire the services of Nemanja Matic from Manchester United in January, reports ESPN FC

The 31-year-old midfielder has been playing in the Premier League for over five seasons since his £40m move from the Portuguese side S.L Benfica in the winter transfer window of 2014.

After spending three seasons at Chelsea, with whom the lanky Serbian won two Premier League titles, Matic shifted his allegiances to Manchester United following the appointment of Jose Mourinho by the Red Devils.

His two-and-a-bit year stay at the Old Trafford stadium has been largely unimpressive, with the 31-year-old unable to impress the club’s fans who regularly question his slow build-up play. However, as evident from the interest various clubs are showing in his signature, Matic still has the chance to prove his doubters wrong.

Solskjaer’s decision to favor the likes of Fred, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira ahead of him in midfield has limited playing minutes for Matic so far this campaign.

His manager’s insistence to try young blood ahead of Matic has restricted the Serbian to making only 3 Premier League appearances for Man United so far this season.

The Serbian international has also been unable to cement his spot in the side’s squad for Europa League group games, as he has featured in only 2 of United’s 4 games in the cup competition.

His discontent at the lack of playing time at the Old Trafford has encouraged both AC Milan and Atletico Madrid to test the waters by trying to sign the player in January.

However, United still have the final say as to where the player’s next destination could be, as the club has the option to extend his stay in Manchester by triggering a 1-year extension clause in his contract.