Ljajic clears up transfer farce

Adem Ljajic has reacted angrily to suggestions that the reason his move to Manchester United was cancelled was because his development had stalled, and insists the real reason was because he couldn’t obtain a work permit.

The youngster was set to join fellow Serb Zoran Tosic at Old Trafford in January, but the deal was suddenly called off last week.

The following statement was released on the official website the same day the deal fell through:

“We had an option to buy the player but, having closely monitored his development over the past 12 months, and taken into consideration the young players emerging through the ranks at the club, we have chosen not to pursue the transfer.”

There was much confusion over the real reason for the collapse. The President of Ljajic’s club Partizan belgrade said Dragan Djuric said, “Maybe the real problem is that they are in financial crisis.” While Mike Phelan claimed it was due to the inability to obtain a work permit in time for his arrival.

Ljajic has backed up the claim made by Phelan and responded to the earlier claims about his lack of progression over the course of the season.

“Stories about stagnation in my football development are nonsense,” he told Serbian newspaper Danas

“If Manchester United were really not satisfied with how much I’ve progressed in this year, I would not have been with Ferguson two months ago at the end of my last cycle of mandatory training at the club before moving to England.”

“The reason for the transfer not happening is that I couldn’t get a business licence (work permit).

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