Matic positive about Man United winning trophies next season

Nemanja Matic has challenged Manchester United to "focus" and be back in the hunt for silverware next season following the disappointment of the previous campaign.

Red Devils to return

The Red Devils ended the season without a trophy and failed to qualify for the Champions League, finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Having been appointed manager on a permanent basis in March, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now busy rebuilding his squad for next season. Striker Romelu Lukaku recently cast doubt over his own future.

This week the Red Devils agreed a deal to sign Wales winger Daniel James from Swansea City in what is expected to be the first of a number of new arrivals.

United will discover their Premier League schedule for the new season when the 2019-20 fixtures are announced on Thursday and midfielder Matic, 30, says it is vital they hit the ground running.

"I think we need to be focused from the first day, to prepare physically and to be ready mentally for the season which is in front of us," he told United's website.

"We [must] think positively. We want to win trophies, so I think everyone needs to be ready."

Matic is confident United's players will report back for pre-season training recharged and in a positive frame of mind as they bid to pose a challenge to the dominance of domestic title winners Manchester City and Liverpool, who triumphed in the Champions League.

"The mood is always great," Matic said. "But last summer, because we had the World Cup, we had a shorter holiday and didn't have as much time to rest.

"This time I think we will have more days off, so I think by the start of July we'll be in a good mood."