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Yaya Toure names Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic as toughest Premier League opponent

Manchester City fans' favourite Yaya Toure said Nemanja Matic was his most difficult opponent during his time in England for both Chelsea and Manchester United . Toure, who is now at Chinese side Qingdao Huanghai, joined City from Barcelona in 2010, and made a total of 316 appearances from then until his departure in 2018, winning a total of three Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, two League Cups and a Community Shield during a hugely successful spell at the club.

He came up against some of the very best Premier League midfielders, but said Matic- who is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford after struggling for first-team minutes this season- was the toughest of the lot.

Yaya Toure had a hugely successful spell at Manchester City (Image: Manchester Evening News) Man City 'draw level financially with Man Utd' thanks to £650m Puma kit deal Speaking to the Times Toure said: "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."

Toure joined City before they became one of the very best teams in the world, and admitted he needed some persuading before signing from Barcelona.

He added: "I was on the phone with (chief executive) Garry Cook. He promised me he was going to bring players to help me do great things at City.

Nemanja Matic is clearly very highly-rated by Toure (Image: SIPA USA/PA Images) Read More Mirror Football's Top Stories Man Utd to take £67m hit Everton rejected £3.5m Haaland deal Terry urged Chelsea against Aguero move De Gea suffers fresh Spain blow "I said, ‘Sign David Silva first, and I will come.’ And Silva was saying, ‘Sign Yaya first and I will come!’ I said to Silva, ‘Sign! I am not going to run off!’

"He didn’t believe me because I was at Barcelona, one of the top teams in the world. But it was time for change. Kolo told me to come. I have to listen to him."

Toure left City to join Greek side Olympiacos last year, but made just five appearances before moving to China.