Full name: Adem Ljajić
Date of birth: 29 September 1991 (age 17)
Place of birth: Novi Pazar, SFR Yugoslavia
Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position: Attacking midfielder
Ljajic is the biggest talents to come from Serbia with his immense skill. The lad was the game creator on every single match he played with his array of passing and great vision.
He can play in almost all attacking positions in the team and blessed with heights.
He is a brave young player with strong character that essential for him to develop into a world class player
He is a threat for his well delivered long shots and free kicks.
According to many sources, he's one of the top 5 talents his generation in the world.
A young player with:
Good control
Great vision
Very creative
Excellent dribbler
Impressive technique
Nicknamed ‘the little Kaka’ as he is is similarly gifted in technique and vision.
Likened to Messi for he likes to use his skill to take on defenders.
In my opinion there is resemblance in physique and his movement to Nedved when he run and swerve.
He had been selected in serbia U-19 and serbia U-21 national team, despite being just a 17 years old player. Featuring in the serbia U-19 that won 4-1 against England and scoring second goal.
A compilation video of Ljajic's goals in international and Partizan first team games:
His debut for Partizan First Team:
A compilation video of Ljajic's skills.
Full name: Zoran Tošić
Date of birth: 28 April 1987 (age 22)
Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 71⁄2 in)
Playing position: Left winger
Tosic is describe as a master of deadball, long shots and blessed with speed, he is the fastest player in the Serbian league. He came into prominence when he played in Serbia U-21. At Beijing Olympics, he was the best player for the Serbia football team in the tournament. Before then, to some Serbian he is just a deadball specialist and good at long shots, whereas everything else about him is average from the first ten games he played for Partizan.
In contrast, the United's scouting department describe him as “a stylish player consistent with the traditions and legacy of wide players at this club”,
A winger who hugs the touchline and takes defenders on, he possesses silky dribbling skills and a strong left-foot shot. Renowned for his mastery in dead-ball situations, Tosic is a real threat from set-pieces, whether firing goalwards or delivering pin-point crosses.
The first thing come to my mind from these descriptions is that Tosic probably seen as a David Beckham mould.
-Renowned for his mastery in dead-ball situations.
-a real threat from set-pieces, whether firing goalwards or delivering pin-point crosses.
But with his lightning speed and silky dribbling to take defenders on, he has more things to boast.
This has been confirmed after Sir Alex Ferguson speak of Tosic future in first team role.
Sir Alex Ferguson claims Manchester United youngster Zoran Tosic bears more similarities to David Beckham than Cristiano Ronaldo.
But the United manager insists that Tosic has the attributes to make a quick impact in England, even if those expecting him to develop into another Ronaldo are likely to be disappointed.
Ferguson said: "There's a difference between Zoran and Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a player with fantastic speed who can dribble, but Zoran is more straightforward.
"There are similarities with David Beckham, though, in terms of getting from box to box and his delivery, but he is naturally left-footed. He has played on the right for Serbia, though.
"We have watched him play that position a few times, but his natural position is the left-hand side.
"Zoran understands the game very well, however. He is intelligent, has a great delivery of the ball and strikes it well too. He has good energy, so he is probably more similar to Nani than Ronaldo.
"That means the potential to play in our first-team and we like to play with width, so Zoran is our type of player.
Tosic in action as a dead ball specialist and long shooter (Last shot resemble to Ronaldo's porto 40 yard missile!):
Tosic debut for Man Utd:
Tosic Man Utd Reserve game:
Tosic In Man Utd reserve game:
Reserves: United 0 L'pool 0
Starting in a United shirt for the first time since arriving from Partizan Belgrade earlier this month. Keen to impress, the Serbian was the Reds’ brightest spark and showed plenty of promise in a free attacking role. A curling shot from wide on the right almost found its way into the top corner
Reserves: Bolton 0 United 1
United's Reserves retained the Manchester Senior Cup after Zoran Tosic's early goal proved enough to overcome Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.
The Serbian struck his first Reds goal since arriving in January after eight minutes, as his heavily deflected free-kick wrong-footed Trotters goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.
Another deflected Tosic effort dribbled just wide the post as United ended the first half on top.
Tosic twice drew solid saves from Bogdan as a second goal seemed inevitable, but Bolton served belated notice of their threat in drawing two superb saves from Reds goalkeeper Amos around the hour mark.
One goal was enough, however, and it was fitting that the impressive Tosic should seal a second trophy of the campaign for the Reds' Reserves
RESERVE GAME
10 Reasons why opponents should be afraid of United 2 new acquisition:
1 RED AT HEART
On the wall of his bedroom at his parents’ house in Zrenjanin, Zoran Tosic has pinned a Manchester United scarf and flag. “I’ve been a United fan since I was five,’ he said. “I still have in front of my eyes a picture of the Champion League final in 1999 when United made that brilliant comeback against Bayern Munich. I liked the Red Devils before, but that was decisive moment. I said to myself then: “You will play in Manchester.”
And Zoran can clearly remember the moment when it became apparent that his United dream might become reality.
“It was on 20 November,” he said in an interview with Serbian newspaper Sportski Zurnal. “I was resting at home when my girlfriend Dijana called me and told me to turn on the TV. There was the news that Adem Ljajic and I would travel to England on 12 December.
“The 1st thing that comes into my head was that they would not broadcast something like that if it wasn’t true.” Don’t worry Zoran, it’s true all right.
2 “BAMBI” WITH A SWEET LEFT FOOT
When Tosic was very young, his mother used to send him to training with cookies in the shape of Bambi. His team-mates soon nicknamed him after the Disney character, and because of his slight physique and thin legs – Tosic stands at 5ft 7in, and is far from stocky – the name stuck. He is lightning quick and his ability with a dead ball has drawn comparison with the former Red Star, Lazio and Internazionale great, Sinisa Mihajlovic.
“It’s natural people make the comparison,” and Mihajlovic. “I honestly hope that he will be better than me, but it won’t be easy – he’ll have to eat a lot of beans to get there! But I’d say he’s on the way. I’ve had the chance to see him in national team games and he has a brilliant left foot.”
3 ‘THE LITTLE KAKA’
Adem Ljajic is nicknamed ‘the little Kaka’ but actually there is nothing small about him He stands at a fraction over 6ft tall, and is of a far more robust build than the Brazillian. The comparison with Kaka is valid though: Ljajic is similarly gifted in technique and vision, and can play in any attacking position on the pitch. He admits his weaknesses are his heading (despite his height) and his defending.
Ljajic was 12 when he was spotted playing in a tournament by the Partizan youth coach Dusan Trbojevic, who quickly snapped him up. He soon impressed in Partizan’s junior ranks, and began training with his senior squad last summer, where he impressed
with his hard work and willingness to learn.
4 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
It was United’s Serbian scout Budimir Vujacic who recommended Tosic to Sir Alex Ferguson after fledging career on home soil. Tosic began his career with Radnicki and Proleter, 2 clubs in his home town of Zrenjalin, before joining Buducnost Banatski Dvor midway through the 2005/2006 season. They then merged with Proleter to form Banat Zrenjalin, and in his 25 appearances for the new club, Tosic was a key figure in helping them avoid relegation.
He signed for Partizan in August 2007, and was a regular from this point on. He made his Under-21 debut for Serbia against Belgium in March 2007, scoring his first goal for the team against Portugal four days later. His debut for the full national team came against Finland later that year, and he has since won another 11 caps.
Ljajic, meanwhile, was a star in the Serbia Under-19 side that, last October, emphatically secured their place in the elite round of qualifying for this summer’s European Championship. In this preliminary competition, in Newry, they put three past Northen Ireland and five past Albania, before winning 4-1 against England – Ljajic scoring the 2nd. He also played for the Under-21 side, scoring with a header in a 1-0 win over Sweden.
5 IN HIGH DEMAND
Rumors of Ljajic’s exceptional ability drew offer from Internazionale and Spartak Moscow before he decide to sign for United. (incidentally both he and Tosic call the club “Manchester”, which is fairly common in Serbia; vidic, notably, was calling them “united” almost from the beginning.)
Ljajic had a trial at United in October, something that caused controversy in Serbia as various newspapers suggested he had travelled without the club’s permission. Partizan’s general secretary Darko Gruber, however, confirmed that the club had already been in talks for some time, and had taken advantage of Ljajic’s in Northern Ireland to squeeze in a trip to Manchester.
6 SPEED MERCHANT
As the fastest player in the Serbian league, Tosic was selected by Nike to promote their Mercurial Vapor Rosa – and he subsequently wears the boots. He joins such luminaries as Frank Ribery, Hatem Ben Afra, Marco Materazzi and Arsenal new boy Andrei Arshavin in sporting the footwear, “They’re an interesting and unexpected colour,” Tosic said. “But I’m happy to be wearing them and I hope they make me faster.” Defenders beware…
7 ONE STEP AT A TIME
Tosic admits he finds the excitement that surrounded his move from Serbia to England disconcerting, but suggests he’ll be taking things one step at a time.
Everybody is asking if I can replace Ryan Giggs, if I can play with Cristiano Ronaldo, if I can cope with the tempo of the Premier League,” he said. “I’m not bothered by any of that. Really, I’m going to progress and then we can see how I compare to other players. I’ve never been afraid before in my life, and I’m not afraid of this.
‘My friends and family are euphoric. They’re joking with me that I’m better than Ronaldo, but I’m not burdening myself. When I get to England and run out on the pitch, then we’ll see where my rightful place is, and how near or far I am from the best players at the club.”
He also shows confidence and maturity in how he sees himself fitting into Sir Alex’s first-team plans in the future, and he’ll be looking to build on his substitute appearances against Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion. “I am aware of my quality,’ he said. “I’m sure I’ll have no problems. It will be easier for me if I accept that I belong there. I’m sure nobody from Manchester thinks I am a player who is strong in duels, or at tackles, or in the air. They recognised my other characteristics, though, and maybe others can be added to make me a real player. The qualities that I already have are not easy to add to a player if he does not already have them.”
8 FAMILY MAN
Tosic’s mother works for a bank and his father runs a small company. They built up their house in Zrenjanin; it has a big yard in which they grow grapes, and Tosic would often spend his Sundays relaxing around the barberque with girlfriends Dijana and other friends. He has known Dijana for a long time, but they have only been together since last year.
Zoran’s preferred pastimes are equally homely. “I’m just a normal guy who enjoys hanging out with my girlfriend, walking my dog and going to the cinema,” he said.
“And I love my home town.”
Certainly the presence of Nemanja Vidic should help avoid my homesickness.
“It will be a great help as I know Vidic from the national team,” says Zoran.
United’s rich traditions also swayed his decisions to head west. “I am full of confidence, I will learn quickly and I hope United can count on me very soon. I want to become a top player at United and not waste the opportunity of being a member of the greatest football family. It is a great feeling, but now I must think about working hard.”
Incidentally, Tosic was on Mount Zlatibor, a tourist resort in the west of Serbia, to celebrate New Year’s Eve when his agent called him telling him to return to the Partizan Belgrade’s stadium so he could continue his negotiations with United. He ended up at a New Year party at his parents’ house in Zrenjanin, but flew to Britain the next day to conclude the deal.
9 FIT TO WEAR THE SHIRT
So highly is Ljajic regarded at Partizan that he was allowed to take over the no.22 jersey formerly worn by Sasa Ilic, who had captained them to success in the late 1990s. The shirt had lain vacant since Ilic left the club for Turkey in 2005.
Adem will finish the year at Partizan before moving to Manchester. “It’s a great pleasure to play one more year here. “It’s great pleasure to play one more year here,” he said. “I am excited by the move, but I’m only 17 and Partizan will always be in my heart.’
10 YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
The reported fee of 17.3m pound for the young pair is an unprecedented sum in Serbian football, and it has certainly pleased Partizan president Dragan Djuric. “Milorad Cavic won a silver medal at Olympic in the 100m butterfly, and tennis player Novak Djokovic has done great things, but this transfer is worth more than all their results,” he said. “Which of our neighbours are selling players for anything like this amount of money? They would have to sell half their stadium and their entire team. This is a great boost for us ahead of what will be a hard year financially.” It’s a substantial investment, no doubt, but Sir Alex knows a bit about the long game: back in 2003 people said Ronaldo was a bit pricey. Watch this space.
Jonathan Wilson
Interview with both of them:
-Adem Ljajic
04/03/2009 08:45, Report by Gemma Thompson
Exclusive: Adem Ljajic Q&A
He may not be able to join the club officially until next January, but Serbian youngster Adem Ljajic has been in Manchester for a few days to train with his future team-mates.
Regarded as Serbia’s brightest young talent, the 17-year-old is an attacking midfielder blessed with vision and intelligence.
Ljajic (pronounced ‘yaich’) will continue his footballing education at Partizan Belgrade until next January, but will make regular trips to Carrington to allow United’s coaches to monitor his progress.
During his latest visit, ManUtd.com sat down with Adem (and fellow countryman Zoran Tosic, who acted as translator) to discuss his hopes for the future at Old Trafford…
When did you first hear about United’s interest and how excited are you at the prospect of playing for the club?
I first heard they were interested in me about a year-and-a-half ago, which I was very excited about. I spent a week at Carrington training with the first team, which I really enjoyed, and I feel very happy to be a Manchester United player. Everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome and I’m looking forward to joining in January.
How does the training at United differ to what you’ve been used to in Serbia?
The quality is very high over here because you’re training with great players, but the main difference is it’s much quicker. I have enjoyed it very much and training with these top players can only help me improve. Training with the team has allowed me to see how things work so I know what to expect when I come here. And I hope that when I join in January I will be involved with the first team from the start.
What have you learned from the other players so far?
I am a big admirer of all of them and I learn things from them in every session. I try to copy what they do and I hope I can keep improving.
For those United fans who have not seen you in action, how would you describe yourself as a player?
[Laughs] I think I am good technically – I like to dribble with the ball and I am quick.
[Tosic gives his own evaluation] Adem is a very good player with great technical ability. He likes to play just behind the striker or on the right side of midfield. We played together for around six months at Partizan and we worked well together – me on the left and him on the right. He has just under a year left in Serbia to keep practicing for when he joins and when he arrives I think he’ll be ready to play for the first team. And I’m sure that when he starts playing for United, the fans will love him.
Adem, how much has it helped having fellow countrymen Nemanja Vidic and Zoran at the club?
It’s been great. I have spent a lot of time with them whenever I have been over in Manchester and they have both shown me around the city. It can be hard when you move to a new country and don’t know anyone and are yet to learn the language, so it’s been fantastic to have them both here.
[Tosic continues] Vida told us what a great place United was before we joined, but both Adem and I knew what an amazing club it was. I’ve been a big United fan since they won the Treble in ’99 and have watched every game I could in Serbia between then and now. Our family and friends are very excited to see us at United and we both feel very proud to have signed.
Sir Alex Ferguson has always put a lot of faith in the club’s young players. Is he one of the major reasons why you joined?
Ljajic: Yes, he is a great manager. I was very excited to meet him and although Vida had to translate for us, we had a good discussion. I am looking forward to working with him.
Tosic: He is a fantastic manager who has always given young players a chance. We saw the way he brought Giggsy, Beckham, Scholesy and Gary into the team and help them develop. We hope he will do the same with us and help us improve
-Tosic
First Interview Exclusive By Count Dracula
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