Jose Mourinho didn’t take the international break off.
The Manchester United boss used the gap between Premier League games to do some crucial scouting of his newest transfer target.
Mourinho was spotted in the stands at the Ernst Happel Stadion when Austria overturned Serbia on Friday night and the reason for his presence has been revealed by several outlets.
Contrary to initial suggestions, Mourinho wasn’t there to cast his eye over Andrija Zivkovic, David Alaba or Dusan Tadic.
Rather, the 54-year-old was there to monitor the promising Serbia winger Mijat Gacinovic.
Gacinovic is far from a household name but the 22-year-old has been identified as one of Europe’s top prospects when it comes to versatile wide players, a position which Mourinho hoped to bolster during the most recent transfer window.
The Portuguese made no secret of his wishlist in the summer. He was keen on the addition a centre forward, a desire which was fulfilled by Romelu Lukaku’s arrival and was also hopeful of a central midfielder, an issue which was solved when Nemanja Matic moved from Stamford Bridge. But his request for a “wide player” was not granted by United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward.
Ivan Perisic was initially targeted but it seems Mourinho has finally moved on from the Inter winger and Gacinovic is now the man for whom the Red Devils boss has plans.
It’s reported by the Mirror that Matic, who has wasted absolutely no time in endearing himself to the Old Trafford faithful, has made his manager aware of Gacinovic’s potential and Mourinho was quick to travel to find out about the player for himself.
Gacinovic, who signed for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2015, can play both on the flank and through the middle and is the subject of eager interest from Mourinho, who may well add the youngster to his squad when the January transfer window opens.
