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Chelsea were willing to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United ahead of the new season, with the club closing in on Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayako. But all that seems to have changed now after Manchester United hijacked Chelsea’s move for Romelu Lukaku.

Gary Neville has urged his former side to sign Matic from Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho keen on signing a new defensive midfielder and have been linked with Eric Dier of Tottenham.

Neville told Sky Sports: “Michael Carrick has obviously got one more year but he can’t play every single week so they do need to have that player who can come in and do the same job.

“And Nemanja Matic would be able to do that. So I think United do need a holding midfield player.

“Morgan Schneiderlin was let go earlier in the season and Bastian Schweinsteiger didn’t get a game.

“So you’re talking about there needing to be a replacement for them and ultimately Matic would fit the bill.”

The United legend is also surprised Conte wants to sell the Serbian, who previously worked with United boss Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge and helped Chelsea to the Premier League in his first season as a senior player in Chelsea.

Neville added: “It’s a strange one for Chelsea to let him go because I thought he was really good for them with Kante.

“I think they need to strengthen, so I’m not sure why they’re letting him and they must have a replacement.”