Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho watches Serbia amid Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer links

The United manager was pictured in the stands alongside Predrag Mijatovic, the former Real Madrid striker

Friday 12 October 2018 04:56 EDT
Comments
Jose Mourinho in profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, made a surprise trip to watch Serbia's 2-0 win away at Montenegro on Thursday night.

The United manager was pictured in the stands alongside Predrag Mijatovic, the former Real Madrid striker, as a brace for Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic earned Serbia victory over their neighbours.

United have been linked with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the Lazio midfielder. The 23-year-old Serb was introduced as a second-half substitute and had a hand in Mitrovic's second, dummying Andrija Zivkovic's pass.

Nikola Milenkovic, the Fiorentina right-back, has also been linked with Old Trafford after an impressive start to the season in Serie A. United's Nemanja Matic was absent, having pulled out of the Serbia squad earlier this week through injury.

The result left Serbia on seven points from three games in the third-tier Group 4, two ahead of Romania, who won 2-1 at Lithuania. Montenegro have four points and Lithuania none.

The first meeting between Montenegro and Serbia as independent nations since they separated in 2006 was played amid tight security but in a friendly atmosphere with both sets of fans applauding each other's national anthems.

Serbia dominated the game and should have won by a bigger margin but for some poor finishing by playmaker Dusan Tadic, who squandered two sitters after good work by winger Andrija Zivkovic and the tireless Mitrovic.

Those misses came after in-form Fulham striker Mitrovic sent goalkeeper Danijel Petkovic the wrong way with an 18th-minute spot kick, after Montenegro right back Filip Stojkovic fouled his Red Star Belgrade team mate Milan Rodic.

The Montenegrins upped the pace in the closing stages and their striker Fatos Beciraj forced a good save from Serbia keeper Marko Dmitrovic in the 72nd minute with a rasping low shot from 20 metres.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Montenegro's Serbian coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic was sent off by Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi for dissent before Mitrovic sealed the contest with a close-range finish in the 81st minute.

Milinkovic-Savic allowed Zivkovic's pass to run with a clever dummy, leaving Mitrovic with the simple task of beating Petkovic from three metres.

A number of reported Manchester United transfer targets were involved in the match
A number of reported Manchester United transfer targets were involved in the match (AP)

Serbia next visit Romania while Montenegro are at home to Lithuania on Sunday.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in