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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Nathan Bliss

Just how good is Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic? We asked Football Manager

As with every top European club, there are always a few players that are linked with a move to Manchester United in every single transfer window, if it makes sense or not.

One of these such players is Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford constantly over the last few seasons.

The midfielder has been a consistently impressive performer for the Serie A side, which has led to comparisons with United's Paul Pogba, hence the numerous transfer links in recent campaigns.

So, could Milinkovic-Savic be a potential replacement for Pogba, should he leave?

And, what are the Serbian's best attributes?

We used Football Manager 2019 to find out.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - Lazio

Current ability: 164/200

Potential ability: 178/200

Positions: CM/CDM/AMC

Age: 24

Best attributes: Bravery (20), natural fitness (20), balance (19), strength (19), flair (18), heading (18), off the ball movement (18), stamina (17), work rate (17), jumping reach (17).

(Football Manager 2019)

Milinkovic-Savic has a very unique player profile, according to Football Manager 2019.

The Serbian has good technical attributes but these are complimented by phenomenal mental and physical attributes.

In fact, it's very difficult to see a weakness in his game, the 24-year-old can pass, finish, shoot from distance, break up play, win headers, press with intensity, out strength and outrun opponents. There is nothing he cannot do.

Milinkovic-Savic's current ability is set at 164 out of 200 on Football Manager 2019, to put that into context, that's better than the likes of Anthony Martial (156), Romelu Lukaku (155) and Marcus Rashford (151).

However, his potential ability of 178 out of 200, which would make him as good as Paul Pogba (179).

Football Manager 2019 suggests that he is a complete midfielder player, with world-class ability.

Despite the constant comparisons, Milinkovic-Savic is a very different player from Pogba technically, but he does share a number of physical attributes, so he would not be a direct replacement for the Frenchman.

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