Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure at the end of 2013 season brought an overwhelming end to a love story so romantic that left football in tears. While the romantics of the game were left to delve into the fond memories of the Scottish maestro, the pragmatics calculated the impending doom that was to befall the club. In his 27 year reign at the club, the hard-hitting Scot had moulded the club in his image and had become an embodiment of the club itself. He had made Manchester United a brand.
The result of it is for everyone to see as another promising talent has come to the limelight in Europe and again it is the biggest club in the world, Manchester United who are being linked with a move for the star player.
This time, it is 22-year old Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic or as he likes to be called, Savic, in short. The highly-rated central midfielder is an action-packed player and has a tenacious engine to keep playing 90 minutes day in and day out. His added quality of having a keen eye for goal is what sets him apart for someone with a similar playing style that of his.
With years of peak football ahead of him, it is no secret why the big clubs are chasing his signature. Since his move to Lazio in the summer of 2015, Savic has gone on to make 92 appearances for the club scoring 15 goals and creating another 13. He will no doubt add many more as he continues to develop at Lazio.
A player with an engine to run for 90 minutes he would certainly shape the United midfield for years to come. Although United have been linked with him, the arrival of Nemanja Matic will mean that he will not be a top priority for Jose Mourinho.
Currently, the Red Devils have Matic, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and their French ace Paul Pogba in midfield. It will be difficult for Mourinho to adjust another midfielder into the side. Although Carrick is on his last legs, United have makeshift cover at the middle of the park in the form of Daley Blind and Phil Jones as well.
Moreover, his move to Manchester United will no doubt see him spending plenty of time on the bench, something he cannot afford to do at this point in his career. Moreover, in Lazio, he has found a steady place in the team and staying put for at least another season might help his case as he will certainly get regular game time there.
