Adem Ljajic has hit back at suggestions his move to Man Utd fell through due to a lack of progress.
Former United target slams stagnation claims
Adem Ljajic has hit back at suggestions his dream move to Manchester United fell through due to a lack of progress on the football field.
A Red Devils spokesman was quoted a saying that the £10million deal to bring in the teenager from Partizan Belgrade had been shelved after the club monitored his development.
Belgrade president Dragan Djuric immediately responded with a claim that the Old Trafford side had pulled the plug on the agreed transfer due to financial problems.
Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Mike Phelan then stated that the reason for the move falling through was because of difficulties over gaining a work permit for the gifted youngster.
The 18-year-old winger has backed Phelan's version of events and strongly refuted claims that he had not done enough to impress United's coaching staff.
Nonsense
He told Serbian newspaper Danas: "Stories about stagnation in my football development are nonsense.
"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).
"Who knows what I will do next? I have heard already that clubs are interested and that Partizan want to sell me. We'll see."
