MANCHESTER UNITED scouts are on the trail of a talented Serbian teenager who is being compared to Paul Pogba and Jude Bellingham.
The Red Devils’ search for fresh talent to overhaul an attack set to record their lowest tally of league goals in over 30 years has taken them to Belgrade.
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Ruben Amorim’s spies have identified 17-year-old Partizan Belgrade midfielder Ognjen Ugresic as a future prospect worth further inspection.
According to reports, United have been to see him live in recent weeks after he made his first Serbian Super League start in early April.
Ugresic scored his first top-flight goal in a 3-1 win over Radnicki Nis last weekend and, if he continues to impress, may soon be on the wanted lists of every major European club.
His agent certainly thinks so as Ostoja Stjepanovic confirmed that several big names, including some from Serie A, have made inquiries.
But the former Macedonia international believes it is too soon for Ugresic to leave Partizan.
Stjepanovic said: “I can confirm that the media reports are based on reality, there is interest in him from several sides.
“Not only Manchester United scouts are following his development, there are also teams from Serie A.
“However, it is too early for him to change his environment now, because in the coming seasons he should get the opportunity to play for Partizan and further develop and progress.”
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Although protective of his client, the agent is not afraid of drawing comparisons between the youngster and two of the best central midfielders to have graced the game in the last decade.
“His style is similar to Jude Bellingham or to some extent Paul Pogba,” he told Nemzeti Sport.
“His technique is exceptional, but he also has speed, despite his height.
“He plays behind the strikers, has good vision, participates in actions, is intelligent…
“He has developed a lot under the leadership of Srdan Blagojevic, but he still needs time.
“We have been working together for three and a half years, I see huge potential in him.
“His parents and he made a lot of sacrifices to get to the Partizan first team, they travelled three hours by car and back every day to training.”
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Man Utd target Antoine Semenyo fired the home side into the lead with a thunderbolt opener, after a calamity of mistakes while playing out from the back.
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