Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic admits he owes his career to his former Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.

Now in charge of Sporting CP, Matic admits it was Jorge Jesus who convinced him to make a positional switch early in his career.

He recalled: "When I started to play football, my dream was to play as an attacking midfielder and score goals. As I grew older I started to retreat on the pitch and when I arrived at Benfica, coach Jorge Jesus told me that I would have no chance to play as a central attacker.

"There were a lot of players better than me to play in that position, like (Pablo) Aimar and (Javier) Saviola. It was difficult for me and the coach told me that if I wanted to play, the number six position would be for me and that I could become one of the best midfielders there.

"As we can see, I am at Manchester United and happy to have changed my position..."