United trial Serb starlet

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Partizan Belgrade have confirmed that starlet Adem Ljajic is undergoing a trial at Manchester United.

The 17-year-old has caught the eye of a number of clubs in recent months and he shone during the recent Uefa European Under-19 Championship Qualifying round which was held in Northern Ireland.

The home side took on England, Albania and Ljajic's Serbia in their group - with all games being played over six days in Newry.

England progressed to the Elite Phase, but it was Ljajic's Serbia who shone with a perfect record, conceding just twice and scoring 12 times in their three games.

United were amongst the clubs watching in Northern Ireland and they have taken advantage of the fact that the youngster is already in Britain by getting him to Carrington for a trial spell.

Partizan agreement

Partizan confirmed they had agreed to the trial - dispelling claims that United had merely coaxed Ljajic into training with them.

"It is not true that Ljajic went to England without permission," the club's general secretary Darko Gubor told Nogomet.

"We have been in contact with Manchester United for some time now and Ljajic was with the international team in Britain at this moment so it was handy for him to go on trial now.

"We want to co-operate with Manchester United and this is only the first step.

"I repeat Ljajic went to Manchester with Partizan's permission and all I can say regarding his potential move to United is that he is still a very young player who is at the beginning of his career."

United are no strangers to scouting Partizan and were previously keen on Stevan Jovetic - who departed for Fiorentina in the summer.