Manchester United: Nemanja Matic frustrated but will not demand more playing time

Matic made first start of season against Leicester

Nemanja Matic has no intention to knock on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's door and request more playing time, despite his frustration with limited opportunities at Manchester United.

Matic made his first start of the season on Saturday in the 1-0 win over Leicester City, though only after an injury crisis left Solskjaer without six first-team players.

Paul Pogba missed the victory with an ankle injury, which allowed Matic to partner Scott McTominay at the base of United’s midfield.

Asked whether he felt frustrated at being dropped to the substitutes’ bench of late, Matic said: “Of course, I want to play.

“I always give my best for the team, the coach is the man who picks the team and when you are on the bench you are not happy.

“But I am doing my best to change his mind and persuade him to put me on the pitch and the season is long. Today as you saw, I played and we won the game.

“I am happy, so we will see in the future what the coach decides," he added. "I am ready.”

And Matic - who turned 31-years-old last month and has a year remaining on his Old Trafford contract - does not plan to go directly to Solskjaer and demand more minutes.

“No, I never did that,” he said. “I show my quality on the pitch in training and in games, this is not my way to fight for the place.”