Following reports in yesterdays paper hinting that Zoran Tosic might feature for United tonight, Mike Phelan has more or less confirmed that to be the case.
With the games becoming more and more important, tonight’s League Cup semi-final is a good chance to throw him in to the mix, knowing that hopefully we can afford or below par performance from him and still go on to win.
Phelan says Tosic has fitted in well with the squad and has the belief to make the grade.
“The boy is exciting at times and he has also been doing a very good job in training,” said Phelan. “He has impressed us. He has come in at a stage of the season where everything is going well for us. So it is a nice time to bed down into the dressing room and take everything in. Zoran has shown he is capable of blending in. He has done it nice and quietly. Now it is a case of giving him a chance for everyone else to see what we have seen. It is an opportunity tonight. We are not frightened of making these decisions and giving people a chance. Any player who comes to Old Trafford believes he is capable of playing in the first team. We are not worried about him playing his part and I think the fans will be excited about seeing him. I don’t think they will be disappointed. But it is going to be a little while before we see the best of Zoran. Everything takes time.”
Phelan isn’t sure whether it will be a starting role or from the bench but certainly seems to imply we will be getting to see our new signing in action tonight.
“He is a new player,” Phelan continued. “We realise from experience when Vida came over it took a while to understand the way we play and how we train here with all the effort they have to put in. Zoran has had ten days to have a look at it. At some point you have to see him. We want to see what he can do in a match situation. Whether it that is as a starter or coming on as a sub against Derby we have not decided yet. He needs time like anyone does when they come here. But he has been good. He has trained every day. It is a case of introducing him into it gradually and slowly. But we have the chance here for him to see what it is all about and be part of it.”
