Manchester United reserve Zoran Tosic scored twice for Serbia as hosts South Africa began their countdown to the 2010 World Cup with a 3-1 friendly international loss Wednesday.

Zoran Tosic Brace

Manchester United reserve Zoran Tosic scored twice for Serbia as hosts South Africa began their countdown to the 2010 World Cup with a 3-1 friendly international loss Wednesday.

Most of the drama came in the second half at Super Stadium outside Pretoria with Danko Lazovic claiming the other Serb goal while Katlego Mphela reduced the deficit deep in stoppage time.

The result served as a severe reality check for a South African team widely praised by the public and media after finishing fourth in the Confederations Cup despite managing only one victory in five games.

Serbia, lacking injured star defender Nemanja Vidic and midfielder general and captain Dejan Stankovic, comfortably soaked up first-half South African pressure before taking control after half-time and building a three-goal lead.

“We have a key World Cup qualifier against France next month and this result was very important because it will give us a lot of confidence,” said half-time substitute Tosic.

Coach Radomir Antic said: “This was a good warm-up for France. South Africa were very skilful in the first half while Serbia dominated the second and I’m confident that we are building a really solid team.”

South Africa coach Joel Santana, who arrived in the country just 24 hours before the match after taking ill in his native Brazil, hailed Serbia as a country destined to reach the 2010 World Cup.

“Serbia are a very good team, but we made it easier for them by conceding too much space in midfield after half-time. I was very impressed with my team in the first half when the marking and positional play was excellent.”

Bafana Bafana (The Boys) came close to scoring after two minutes when a Mphela free kick was parried by goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic on to the crossbar.

The vistors almost broke the deadlock twice late in the opening half only to be foiled by a brave block from goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and a timely tackle from midfielder Macbeth Sibaya.

Tosic had a penalty appeal rejected before holding off Matthew Booth to stab the ball across substitute goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez into the far corner on 56 minutes.

Lazovic half volleyed an Ivan Obradovic cross wide of Fernandez after 67 minutes and Tosic turned Lucas Thwala twice inside the penalty area before firing home the third goal 10 minutes later.

South Africa were facing a record home defeat until Mphela salvaged a little pride three mintues into stoppage time, bursting through the middle and lifting the ball over Stojkovic.

Berbatov and Zoran Tosic

Zoran Tosic got his first taste of what it’s like to score in a United shirt in Sunday’s 8-2 romp against Hangzhou Greentown. And his heart is set on experiencing the real thing in competitive matches.

First, Tosic says he wants to prove he’s ready to step up to the first-team in United’s remaining pre-season friendlies. “I’m very happy to have scored my first goal and I could have scored more,” the Serbian told MUTV. “Hopefully I’ll get more games in pre-season, I’ll try to do my best.”

The emphatic win at the Yellow Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou was a carnival close to United’s Asis Tour. Michael Owen (2) and the impressive Dimitar Berbatov (1) were again on the scoresheet, but Tosic was pleased that the midfield chipped in.

Sir Alex has demanded that his middle men contribute more following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and with Ryan Giggs scoring three and Nani and Tosic getting one apiece, they are heeding the call.

“It wasn’t just the strikers who were let loose, it was also the midfielders,” said Tosic. “It was important to score a lot of goals. We performed well and the result was very good. It was a very different game to the one we played against FC Seoul. We had a lot of chances – Giggs, me and Wazza could all have scored more goals… but eight is enough!”

This is Tosic’s first tour with United after his January transfer from Serbian side Partizan Belgrade. “I’ve enjoyed my first tour,” he says. “I hope there will be more with United. I’m also very happy because of my first goal, but the important thing is that we’ve played well and scored lots of goals. I hope it’s the same when the season starts.”

Ronaldo and co slugged it out with Barcelona in the Champions League final on 20th May, a match The Red Devils lost 2-0 in Rome.

The match had been tipped by many as being Ronaldo’s last for United following a hugely successful six seasons at Old Trafford.

It was not long after the match that Real Madrid agreed a blockbuster £80million deal for his servives, but Tosic claims the players knew what would be happening.
New challenge

“He told us he had won all the awards and he wanted to try something else,” Tosic said of Ronaldo’s plans. “I don’t know if he had already signed for Real Madrid.

“He is going to again be the best player in the world. Last season he scored 42 goals, this time 27. And they all said it’s his worst season because it was not enough. In Madrid he will be the best again.”

Tosic has made just three first-team appearances for the Championship since joining from Partizan Belgrade in January, but hopes to play more with Ronaldo set to depart.

“Cristiano was the best player in the team and so someone will come in to take his place. I hope I will get the chance,” he concluded.

United revealed late last year that they had reached agreement with Partizan to sign the duo in a transfer thought to be worth around 17 million pounds (17.6 million euros) and the Premier League champions have now concluded contract negotiations with both players.

Tosic, capped 12 times by Serbia, will link up with United immediately while 17-year-old striker Ljajic will spend the rest of the season on loan at Partizan.

But although Tosic will be ineligible for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Southampton, United manager Ferguson is confident that the left winger will quickly challenge for a place in his starting line-up at Old Trafford.

Ferguson said: “We have been watching Tosic for over a year and in that time, he has become a regular in the Serbia national team.

“He’s a winger and we like wide players here at Manchester United, so we are very hopeful that he will do well for us.

“He hasn’t played since December 10, however, so he will need some time to adjust to the speed of the game over here and get used to the training.

“But once he gets himself accustomed to the pace, then I am sure he will play a part for us this season. Ljajic is another good player with real quality and he will come over to Manchester in time for next season.

“That is it for Manchester United in this transfer window, though. We are done now with our business for this season.”

Ferguson is likely to make a series of changes for the trip to the south coast for Sunday’s repeat of the 1976 FA Cup Final against Championship strugglers Southampton.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be rested, while Carlos Tevez is not due back from attending family business in Argentina until Sunday evening.

Despite reports suggesting that Tevez is close to signing a permanent deal at Old Trafford, Ferguson insists that the club are no closer to thrashing out an agreement with the player’s representatives, who continue to own the Argentinian.

Ferguson said: “I’m not going on about the Tevez contract because it is never-ending. Chief executive David Gill is dealing with it, but there is nothing to report.”

The FA Cup clash starts a busy January for United, who also have a Premier League clash at home to Chelsea on Jan 11 in-between a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Championship club Derby County.

And England defender Rio Ferdinand, who will miss the Southampton game, is facing a battle to fit for the Chelsea clash after being laid low with a back injury since pulling up in the pre-match warm-up at Stoke on December 26.

Ferguson said: “Rio is still not training because we need to give his back the time to settle. It has happened a few times now, but he is tall, with a long back, so it can happen.

“He definitely won’t be involved against Southampton or Derby, but we hope he will be back for the big one against Chelsea.”

Highly-rated Serbian winger Tosic has been cleared to join United after being granted a work permit by British authorities, but negotiations have stalled over personal terms.

Chief executive David Gill said talks were ongoing with both Tosic, 21, and midfielder Ljajic, 19.

“We’re still in negotiations with both,” Gill said in Japan where Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils are playing in the Club World Cup.

“We’ve agreed club terms, now we’re working on the player terms. They may or may not happen.

“Apart from those, I don’t think there will be a lot of activity from us in January.

“Perhaps the odd loan signing going out if Alex decides he wants to give some of the younger players first team experience elsewhere. But I don’t expect there to be much else.”

Agent Zoran Pavlovic told Belgrade media this week that United have yet to offer an acceptable salary for Tosic, who can play on either flank and has been capped 12 times by his country.

The 21-year-old Partizan Belgrade player visited Old Trafford last week with his manager, but said Sunday that United’s offer “does not coincide with” his demands.

“We agreed to stay in touch and I believe that everything will be fine in the end,” he said.

Tosic’s manager Zoran Pavlovic said the player was unhappy with the salary he is being offered, and told Belgrade daily Blic that the winger might consider finding another club.

No details of the transfer fee has been given for Tosic, but local media said it was around €3.5 million ($4.5 million.)

Tosic was granted a British work permit last month, after United manager Alex Ferguson made a personal plea at a hearing in Sheffield.

Tosic has made 12 international appearances, including at the Beijing Olympics, and can play on either flank.

Left winger Tosic has flown to Manchester to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed move to Old Trafford in January.

United have already agreed terms with Partizan Belgrade for Tosic and have successfully appealed to get him a work permit, and his move will be rubber-stamped once the transfer window opens next month.

Tosic, 20, flew to England on Wednesday evening after he played his final game for Partizan as they played out a goalless draw with Vojvodina.

“I’m going to Manchester to do a medical exam, but I will return in three days,” said Tosic.

“I hope everything will be okay, but I must confess that it’s hard to leave my club Partizan.

“Of course, there is a big feeling of pride, I’m off to sign for the biggest club in the world, which is my favourite from my early years.

“My goal is to continue to progress as a footballer and I want to show Manchester United that my transfer wasn’t a bad thing.”
Ljajic deal

But Tosic was not alone on the flight as his Partizan team-mate Ljajic accompanied him from Belgrade.

United have held a long-term interest in Ljajic and it has now been revealed that he has joined Tosic in Manchester.

It is reported in Serbia that Ljajic, who enjoyed a trial at Old Trafford earlier this year, will also have a medical with a view to signing for United.

Ljajic, rated as one of the best young players in Europe, will not be on the move immediately as United are ready to let him stay at Partizan for at least six months but possibly for as long as 18 months.

“I was in Manchester once as a guest,” said Ljajic.

“I had a chance to look at how things are going on in a big club and now I will have another look.

“I’m staying in Partizan at least until the end of the season and then we will see what happens.”

Work Permit granted for Tosic

United have been searching for a new winger for some time, possibly to replace veteran Ryan Giggs, and it was reported earlier this week that an £8million fee had been agreed for Tosic.

United have not confirmed the fee they have agreed with Partizan Belgrade to sign the player but Sir Alex Ferguson attended a permit hearing for the 21-year-old on Friday and emerged with positive news, meaning Tosic will move to Old Trafford in January.

Tosic has scored nine goals in 20 games so far this season and has established himself as an important member of the Serbia senior side after initially impressing for the Under-21s.