We will see who United's leaders are - Matic

Manchester United's leaders will emerge in their Champions League clash against Valencia, according to midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Published : Oct 01, 2018 21:50 IST

Nemanja Matic says that United's players must do the talking on the pitch.
Nemanja Matic says that United's players must do the talking on the pitch.
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Nemanja Matic says that United's players must do the talking on the pitch.

Nemanja Matic said the time for dressing-room talk was over at Manchester United as he called for the team's leaders to show themselves on the pitch against Valencia.

Jose Mourinho's side goes into its Champions League Group H clash having failed to win any of its last three matches, and with only four wins from nine games in all competitions this season.

That form has left Mourinho under intense pressure but when asked about influential voices in the dressing room, Matic told reporters that it is on the field where United needs inspirational figures.

"I don't think you can resolve something with talking," he said. "The leaders need to be on the pitch.

"The leaders are the players who aren't scared to play. We will see tomorrow and in the next games who the leader is.

"If you talk in the dressing room, that doesn't mean anything. The most important is on the pitch."

United's 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday was its third in the Premier League this season and it is 10th in the table after seven games.

A poor result against Valencia would lead to even more scrutiny on Mourinho's position but Matic said the added pressure was not a concern to his team-mates.

"Pressure is always there," he said. "All my life I have played with pressure and also my team-mates all play with pressure.

"We're not scared to play. We play football but everyone is trying to win, especially against Manchester United.

"We know that and we have to be ready for that. We weren't ready in the last few games. As soon as possible we have to be ready."

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