Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic detailed how he misses playing in front of fans, and says football can often be “completely different” without supporters.
The Old Trafford midfielder pointed to Liverpool’s shock 7-2 loss to Aston Villa in October as an example of how the game is not the same when the fans are not present, and says that he hopes fans can return as soon as possible in 2021.
“It’s about having matches that all look like carbon copies of each other looking like training sessions without supporters in the stadiums,” Matic told Reuters.
“The coronavirus pandemic made the circumstances very different and I’m sure Liverpool would never have lost to Aston Villa 7-2 if the fans had been present.
“Football has survived, the league is on the move but I miss the noise and reaction from the terraces sorely.
While he appears to have some sympathy for United rivals and the manner of that loss, Matic says United are determined to overhaul the champions and take on a tough challenge this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side embark on the Boxing Day clash in Leicester with the knowledge that a win would put them two points behind Liverpool, and Matic – twice Premier League winners with Chelsea – has new eyes on the price.
“It would definitely be making another dream come true after winning two titles at Chelsea,” he added.
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