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Nemanja Matic: Ireland game will be most important in Serbia history

Nemanja Matic will head into the "most important" game in Serbia's history dreaming of World Cup qualification and the Premier League title.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Manchester United after Jose Mourinho paid £40 million to lure him north from Chelsea.

However, while helping to restore United to the pinnacle of the English game is a major focus, edging Serbia closer to next summer's World Cup finals in Russia will be his overriding concern when he runs out to face Republic of Ireland in a Group D showdown on Tuesday evening.

"It is the most important game for us in this qualification and maybe in our football history in Serbia," Matic said.