Jose Mourinho: 'Nemanja Matic is a football genius'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has heaped further praise on Nemanja Matic after the midfielder made his debut against Sampdoria on Wednesday night.

On Monday, United announced that Matic had left Chelsea to sign a three-year deal at Old Trafford, and he was given an immediate start by Mourinho in Dublin.

Matic only featured for the first 45 minutes of the 2-1 victory, but Mourinho hinted that he had been impressed with his contribution.

The 54-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "He needs time but [his] experience, intelligence, a genius in the way he thinks - he thinks football. We will help him to be ready sooner rather than later."

United are next in action when they face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup final on Tuesday, August 8.