Nemanja Matic, Man Utd, explains who is responsible for the sad end of last season

Nemanja Matic admits the Serb, reproaching some of his damn performances last season last season: "I dropped myself and the team."

The 40-million-pound midfielder played 28 of United's 38 games in the Premier League, while United was in sixth.

Matic started with both the 4-0 shock at Everton and the 1-1 Huddersfield draw at the end of the season, as United's campaign ended in dire straits.

Former world champion Chelsea admits it was hard to be part of a worst climax for United, who also lost his last game of the season at home against a relegated Cardiff.

"Of course it hurts," he says. "When I go home, I always look in the mirror and I want to see where I can do better, where I can improve. I was not happy with the performances.

"I played very well at some games, I did not play as I wanted. But that's football. We can not always be at this level and I'm sure this season will be better. "

Matic looks thin, fit and energetic during United's summer tour – and says his first full preseason in three years is already bearing fruit.

After playing all three matches of the World Cup in Serbia in 2018 against Costa Rica, Switzerland and Brazil in Russia last summer, Matic was given a prolonged break and missed the preparation event. pre-season United. That left him undercooked at the start of the season and the star, 31 years later this week, admits it had an impact on his campaign.

This time, however, he is eager to play the opening game of the new season against Chelsea at Old Trafford in a fortnight.

"I started this pre-season with the team after three years without preseason," he said. "I'm sure I'll perform as I'm used to."