Adem Ljajic's Transfer To Manchester United Scuppered By Work Permit Issues - Mike Phelan

Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has refuted suggestions that his club cancelled the deal to bring teenager Adem Ljajic to Old Trafford from Partizan Belgrade for financial reasons.

Instead, Phelan insists that a work permit and the player's ability relative to the personnel already at the club were the actual reasons behind the £10 million deal's collapse.

"We made a tentative approach to getting a work permit and the word we got back from the Home Office was we couldn't get that through in time to get Adem signed in January," Phelan told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
"I don't think money is an issue.

"The point is do you lay out money for Adem knowing there is a possibility that you might not be able to get him? As it stands Adem Ljajic won't be coming to Old Trafford in January."

Phelan also insists that the Ljajic's non-arrival does not mean an end to the focus on youth at Old Trafford.

"We have a platform that allows young players to develop and get into the first team," he added.

"We looked at Adem and he has the potential to do that.

"But sometimes you cannot fight these things. Sometimes you can get work permits, other times you can't. Adem fell into the latter category, which is why we made the decision."