Man Utd complete signings of Serbian starlets

January 2, 2009

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Sir Alex Ferguson believes Serbian winger Zoran Tosic can make an impact at Manchester United this season after wrapping up a double deal for the 21-year-old and his Partizan Belgrade team-mate Adem Ljajic on Friday.

United revealed late last year that they had reached agreement with Partizan to sign the duo in a transfer thought to be worth around 17 million pounds (17.6 million euros) and the Premier League champions have now concluded contract negotiations with both players.

Tosic, capped 12 times by Serbia, will link up with United immediately while 17-year-old striker Ljajic will spend the rest of the season on loan at Partizan.

But although Tosic will be ineligible for Sundays FA Cup third round tie at Southampton, United manager Ferguson is confident that the left winger will quickly challenge for a place in his starting line-up at Old Trafford.

Ferguson said: "We have been watching Tosic for over a year and in that time, he has become a regular in the Serbia national team.

"Hes a winger and we like wide players here at Manchester United, so we are very hopeful that he will do well for us.

"He hasnt played since December 10, however, so he will need some time to adjust to the speed of the game over here and get used to the training.

"But once he gets himself accustomed to the pace, then I am sure he will play a part for us this season. Ljajic is another good player with real quality and he will come over to Manchester in time for next season.

"That is it for Manchester United in this transfer window, though. We are done now with our business for this season."

Ferguson is likely to make a series of changes for the trip to the south coast for Sundays repeat of the 1976 FA Cup Final against Championship strugglers Southampton.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be rested, while Carlos Tevez is not due back from attending family business in Argentina until Sunday evening.

Despite reports suggesting that Tevez is close to signing a permanent deal at Old Trafford, Ferguson insists that the club are no closer to thrashing out an agreement with the players representatives, who continue to own the Argentinian.

Ferguson said: "Im not going on about the Tevez contract because it is never-ending. Chief executive David Gill is dealing with it, but there is nothing to report."

The FA Cup clash starts a busy January for United, who also have a Premier League clash at home to Chelsea on Jan 11 in-between a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Championship club Derby County.

And England defender Rio Ferdinand, who will miss the Southampton game, is facing a battle to fit for the Chelsea clash after being laid low with a back injury since pulling up in the pre-match warm-up at Stoke on December 26.

Ferguson said: "Rio is still not training because we need to give his back the time to settle. It has happened a few times now, but he is tall, with a long back, so it can happen.

"He definitely wont be involved against Southampton or Derby, but we hope he will be back for the big one against Chelsea."

Written by: AFP

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