Milinkovic-Savic responds to Manchester United rumors
By Reyhan Nath
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has responded to reports linking him with a move to Manchester United, after Jose Mourinho’s appearance during Serbia’s 2-0 win over Montenegro got some tails wagging.
Mourinho has had his eyes on Milinkovic-Savic ever since he first arrived at Old Trafford. He was eager to get him last summer, but a move never materialized and the Portuguese was unhappy with the lack of support he received in the transfer market.
The United board might have been attempting to make a statement, considering none of Mourinho’s signings so far have really lit up the Theatre of Dreams. However, they may have no choice but to spend big once more after a woeful start to the season.
The question on everyone’s mind at the moment revolves around where Milinkovic-Savic would fit in. Midfield is one of United’s most packed areas in terms of players fighting for a position in the starting XI.
The likes of Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Fred are all fighting to make one of the available midfield positions their own.
However, Mata and Herrera’s deals expire in the summer and both have been linked with a return to La Liga. Paul Pogba’s future remains in doubt with Barcelona lurking and new signing Fred has struggled to hit the ground running.
Milinkovic-Savic will add a new dynamic to United’s midfield and should they be able to sign the 23-year-old, letting go of one of their current midfield players shouldn’t be much of an issue.
The Serbian was understandably chuffed that Mourinho was present at the game and supposedly watching him, but admitted that he might not have been the focus of the United manager’s attention.
"“I’m a Lazio player, but it’s obvious that I was pleased that a coach of his stature came to see the game,” Milinkovic-Savic said, according to Calciomercato.it.“I read a little bit everywhere he was here at the stadium to see me play, but that does not mean anything. Maybe he was not here for me, but for someone else.”"
Mourinho has also been desperate to sign a new center-back lately, with both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones’s contracts running out in the summer and the club hesitant to offer renewals to players who have failed to live up to their potential despite being at Old Trafford for over half a decade. Eric Bailly, who was withdrawn after just 18 minutes in the 3-2 win over Newcastle, appears to have fallen out of favour with Mourinho and Victor Lindelöf still looks a bit edgy at times.
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As a result, the 55-year-old has been on the lookout for replacements, and Nikola Milenkovic is believed to be on his list. The 21-year-old Fiorentina defender started the game against Montenegro and played the entire 90 minutes, helping his team to a clean sheet. He has made quite an impact so far this season at club level, having played in all 8 Serie A games so far, even managing to pick up two goals.
It is quite possible that Mourinho was at the game to watch Milenkovic, rather than Milinkovic-Savic. Only time will tell.