As well as following the Reds, the Serbian kept an eye on a number of great Balkan players who were making their mark in Serie A. Dejan Savicevic and Boban were two who stood out for the young Nemanja, with the duo part of Serie A and Champions League-winning Milan sides.
In an exclusive interview with the Milan edition of our official matchday programme, United Review, Matic told us: “For me, Savicevic was the best player. I think if you ask Milan supporters who remember him playing, then they will say the same because he was a special player and at that time, for me, he was one of the best in Europe.