We don’t need a like for like to replace Matic just as we didn’t have a like for like when Carrick basically replaced Keane, we’ve got a great spread of balance and variety across our whole group of midfielders but what we DON’T have is a pure out and out defensive midfielder and that’s what we need.
There aren’t many options like a Keane or even a Carrick out there but we’ve got Fernandes, Pogba (currently), McTominay, Fred, VDB, Matic (currently) and then Garner, Levitt and Galbraith coming through.
Not one single player in all of those is a pure out and out defensive midfielder other than Matic and for me he’s effectively done as anything more than a sub to bring on with 15-20 minutes to go so someone who’s main job is simply to shield the defence and drop in with lots of stamina and a great engine is what’s needed.