Aleksandar Mitrovic earmarked by Man Utd over summer transfer before disaster

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    Aleksandar Mitrovic may have cost himself a move to Manchester United – with his red-card rage at Old Trafford.

    The Fulham striker, who has scored 12 times in all competitions this season, had been earmarked by United as a potential target in the summer window. But that was before his dismissal in the Londoners’ controversial 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final reverse to the Reds seven days ago – and subsequent FA charge for violent conduct.

    Mitrovic, 28, was sent off for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh and compounded matters by continuing his rant at the official in an aggressive fashion before being hauled away. How much damage that moment of madness in the 72nd minute has done to United’s interest in the Serbian star remains to be seen.

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    For if his live audition in front of Reds boss Erik Ten Hag began well enough – with Mitrovic putting the visitors ahead – it ended in self-inflicted disaster. The FA confirmed last week he faces a longer ban than the usual three matches for a straight red. It is possible Mitrovic will not play again this season.

    That would be a massive blow to Fulham’s top six ambitions – and deny him further opportunities to impress clubs, home and abroad, tracking him. In addition to United, Mitrovic is on the radar of Chelsea, Tottenham, and Barcelona following his excellent campaign for Marco Silva’s men.

    Do you think Mitrovic would be a good fit at United? Let us know in the comments section below

    Fulham boss Silva was also sent off at Old Trafford as he reacted furiously to the VAR review, which led to a United penalty, Willian’s red card for handball – and Mitrovic blowing a fuse. The FA have charged the Portuguese coach as well as both clubs for failing to control their players.

    But Mitrovic is in the deepest trouble with the FA under pressure to make an example of him amid the growing number of cases of grass-roots referees being attacked – verbally and physically. There have been calls for Mitrovic, who played in Serbia’s win over Lithuania on Friday, to be suspended from anywhere between six matches to six months.

    But ten games is thought to be the most likely punishment.

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    • FA Cup
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