Nemanja Matic has hailed Manchester United teammates Fred and Scott McTominay, branding the duo "very important players" for the 20-time English champions.

Fred and McTominay have again been Man United's first-choice holding midfielders this season, with Matic in direct competition with the pair for a starting spot at Old Trafford.

Matic will captain the Red Devils against Young Boys on Wednesday, with Fred and McTominay potentially both being rested ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Norwich City, and the Serbia international has paid tribute to the midfield duo.

"First and foremost, they are great people," Matic told reporters. "They are great in the changing room and very important players in our team. They improve a lot game by game.

"They don't get enough praise because always people scoring goals get praise after the games but sooner or later, they will get what they deserve, and I think game by game they're better and better. They have to continue to work in this way and I'm sure they will have a bright future."

Fred scored the only goal of the match against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, as the club's new interim manager Ralf Rangnick made the perfect start to his time at the helm.