Manchester midfielder Nemanja Matic admits that the team will need to secure wins over the likes of Stoke City in order to lift the Premier League title this season. After bagging comfortable triumphs over West Ham United, Swansea City and Leicester City, United faced a much sterner test at the Bet365 Stadium last weekend.
Jose Mourinho’s side had not conceded a goal in the opening three games, but their defence was breached on Saturday afternoon with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s brace cancelling out goals from Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku.
Speaking to MUTV, Matic admitted that United had a tough trip to Staffordshire, but his side must do more to clinch victories from such kind of games, he said: “It was a tough game. To be honest, it’s always a tough game when you come to this stadium. Stoke are a good team, so it was difficult, but we managed to get a point. If we want to be champions, we have to win games like this because in these games, if you win, you are champion.”
Matic’s next focus will be on the Champions League clash on Tuesday night where they take on Basel. The Swiss champions eliminated United in the group stage of the competition in 2011/12, and Mourinho’s side could avenge the defeat with a convincing performance at Old Trafford.
Phil Jones and Eric Bailly did not have a good outing at Stoke on Saturday but they will have the additional rest to recollect their thoughts with a European suspension to serve in midweek. Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof are expected to take their places in the starting lineup against Basel.
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