Report: Matic wants to leave Manchester United

Nemanja Matic will leave Manchester United as early as January if the club is willing to sanction his sale, according to The Telegraph's James Ducker.

The Serbian midfielder has started two Premier League matches this season - the last of which was in September - while Scott McTominay and Fred have moved above him in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans. His reduced role also comes despite the January exits of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera.

Italy appears the likeliest destination for Matic, reports Ducker. Matic was tempted by interest from AC Milan and Inter during the close season but no move materialized, as Solskjaer harbored doubts about Paul Pogba's future and couldn't strike a deal for Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff.

Matic's current contract expires at the end of the season, but United have an option to extend his terms by a further year. Should the club exercise that right, it would raise the asking price of the player for whom it paid £35 million in 2017.