United completes capture of Matic from Chelsea for reported £40M fee

Manchester United announced Monday that Nemanja Matic has joined the club after completing a transfer from Chelsea reportedly worth £40 million.

The 28-year-old officially joined United after putting pen to paper on a three-year contract as he gets set to reunite with manager Jose Mourinho.

"Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player," Mourinho said to the team's website. "He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.

"I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31."

The revelation of Matic's new shirt number all but confirms the validity of a leaked photo of the Serbian over the weekend that showed him wearing a United training kit with the same number.

He previously worked under Mourinho during their days at Chelsea, where they celebrated winning the Premier League in 2015 before the Portuguese manager's dismissal later that year.

"I am delighted to have joined Manchester United," Matic said. "To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

"I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support. I cannot wait to meet my new teammates and to start training with them.

"This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club."

In total, Matic won two league titles in England over two separate stints with the Blues, with his first coming during the 2009-10 season. He moved to Benfica the following year before returning to Stamford Bridge in 2014.

Interest in Matic picked up steam in June but quickly fizzled out when United reportedly turned its attention elsewhere when Chelsea refused to budge from its £50-million valuation.

However, United's subsequent pursuit of Eric Dier yielded similar results, as Tottenham also demanded £50 million.

After reviving its interest in Matic, the two teams - which had competed for the signature of forward Romelu Lukaku earlier in the summer before he left Everton for Old Trafford - resolved their differences and worked out a deal.

Paul Pogba is expected to be the primary beneficiary of Matic's presence, as the defensive midfielder will allow the Frenchman to push up the pitch and play more of an attacking role while he and Ander Herrera worry about the defensive duties in front of United's backline.