Agent Not Surprised By United and Juve Interest In Benfica Star

The agent of Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic isn't surprised his client is in high demand, amid widely reported interest from Manchester United and Juventus.

The Serbian midfielder has gone from strength to strength since a forgettable spell at Chelsea earlier in his career, establishing himself as a formidable presence in a Benfica side that are closing in on the Primeira Liga title.

The 25-year-old's commanding displays will have left some Chelsea fans wondering why the club chose to let him go after just two appearances over two years, but his agent finds reports of interest from United and the Serie A champions perfectly reasonable.

"With how Matic is doing it is normal that clubs are interested in him," Matic's agent, Dejan Mitrovic is quoted as saying in Abola. "Just watch the way he plays, for example in the derby against Sporting.

"It is amazing how his game has developed and how he plays in every game; so many clubs want to watch a player like him.

"At Chelsea he never had any good opportunities and he is now feeling well at a big club like Benfica."

United have been linked with a number of different players who have enjoyed commendable campaigns in Portugal, including Matic's Benfica teammate Ezequiel Garay and Porto attacking midfielder James Rodriguez. But Ferguson has been most impressed with the former Chelsea man, according to reports, and sees him as an ideal addition to his midfield.

Having lost influential midfielders Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel to Manchester City and Zenit St Petersburg last summer, Benfica have coped marvellously, with the form of Matic in the centre of the park a key reason behind their success.

Although they trail in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final tie after losing 1-0 to Fenerbahce in Turkey, the club are still favourites to turn things around at the Stadium of Light. The club have also booked their place in the final of their domestic cup against Guimaraes and currently sit at the summit of league with four games remaining.

Chelsea signed Matic from Serbian outfit Kosice in 2009, but his only two appearances for the club came as a substitute in games which the Blues had already secured three points. The midfielder moved to Benfica as part of the deal that saw Chelsea bring David Luiz to Stamford Bridge in a £25.5 million deal in 2011.