Jose Mourinho scouts Sergej Milinkovic-Savic during international duty

Mourinho scouts Milinkovic-Savic Leaving his troubles far behind him, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was spotted in the crowd doing a bit of scouting as Serbia beat rivals Montenegro 2-0 in Podgorica on Thursday evening.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Mourinho was invited to the game by Predrag Mijatovic, with the pair knowing each other from Real Madrid.

And, according to The Sun, Mourinho made the trip to personally run the rule over Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a player linked with United over the summer -- though negotiations never got beyond the €100m price quoted by his agents.

Sources said that Mijatovic told Mourinho to sign Croatia star Luka Modric when he was at Tottenham, but given his issues over signing an experienced defender, perhaps Mourinho is on the lookout for a younger option now the Real Madrid midfielder has reached 33.

Milinkovic-Savic, 23, put in an impressive performance and even laid on a goal as the home side coasted to a routine victory while the United boss watched on intently from up in the terraces with his cap pulled down over his face.

The midfield may not have been the only area on Mourinho's agenda though. With United's defensive woes still on his mind, special attention was also paid to 20-year-old Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic, currently on the books at Fiorentina.

Zlatan returning to Old Trafford?

Rumours are circulating that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be heading back to Manchester United on loan when the transfer market reopens in January.

The veteran Swedish striker is looking to secure a return to Europe during the MLS off-season and the Manchester Evening News claim that Old Trafford is being entertained as a potential destination.

Ibrahimovic spent two successful seasons at United before leaving for LA Galaxy, scoring 29 goals in 53 appearances and playing an intrinsic role in the club's Europa League triumph in 2016-17.