Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic quits Rennes after transfer turned sour and thrown straight into relegation battle

FORMER Manchester United star Nemanja Matic, 35, has joined Lyon from Rennes after his move to the northern French club turned sour.

Matic played 19 times for Rennes before reports claimed that he went on strike at the beginning of the window to force a move to Lyon.

AFP

Matic played 19 times for Rennes this season before joining lyon[/caption]

Matic’s turmoil has been settled after he signed for LyonInstagram / OL

Matic was reportedly unhappy that Rennes had promised him there was an English-speaking international school in the area for his children to attend, but those facilities did not exist.

It was claimed he then launched a one-man strike at the beginning of the window after growing frustrated with his children’s schooling situation.

The midfielder failed to turn up for training on three consecutive days.

Amid the reports, he took to Instagram to clear up the situation, saying: “Dear supporters, I want to end any speculation and say that last summer I was honoured by Stade Rennais’ invitation to be part of an ambitious project that needed a player of my characteristics and experience.

“After six months at the club I can confirm our club has become an exceptional club for all players, especially young ones.

“Unfortunately, due to my mistake, I did not manage to adapt my private things to my professional one.

“I could not enrol my children into the international school they have been attending since the beginning of schooling.

“That is why I was away the last three days, to try and solve this big problem for me and my family and tomorrow I’m going back to Rennes where I will decide the next steps with the club together.”

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Prior to that, Rennes had launched a statement describing his decision to miss training sessions as “wholly incomprehensible”.

The saga has come to an end now, with Matic officially joining Lyon.

His contract will run until 2026.

He joins the club with Lyon embroiled in a relegation battle.

Lyon are currently 16th in Ligue 1, which would see them play a relegation play-off against against Ligue 2 opposition should they finish there.