Former Manchester City star Yaya Toure has revealed that Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic was the hardest opponent that he faced during his career.
Toure spent eight seasons at the Etihad, winning three Premier League titles and one FA Cup as he cemented himself as one of the best Premier League midfielders.
The Ivorian, who made a total of 316 appearances for City, left the club in 2018 and now plays for Chinese side Qingdao Huanghai.
Reflecting on the hardest player he faced during his career, Toure told The Times: "Nemanja Matic was complicated. He's not quick but he's so strong, clever.
"All the rest of the opponents, because I always looked at them carefully before games, I get their weakness."
One game during which Matic's omnipresent influence at the base of midfield came clear was when Toure's City lost 1-0 at home to a Chelsea side managed by Jose Mourinho which contained the Serbia international, whose excellent display helped to condemn the Citizens to their first home defeat of the 2013-14 season.
Leo Nieboer
