Reds blow as Ivan is in-ter staying at Milan next term

IVAN Perisic insists he is not thinking about a move away from Inter Milan following his World Cup heroics with Croatia.

The 29-year-old came into his own in Russia in the final two games of the Blazers’ remarkable run to the final – and stepped up with a goal and two assists against England and France.

Perisic had once been an extremely unpopular target with a section of United fans but they were having second thoughts after those displays.

However, it seems the ship has sailed as far as Perisic is concerned.

“So far I have thought of Croatia. Now I will rest, I will return to focus on Inter,” he said. As early as June last year, Perisic had been planning for life in Manchester and was keen on linking up with Jose Mourinho, whose work he ‘enjoyed’ and ‘appreciated’. Mourinho had followed his progress for some time and even got a second opinion from friends Predrag Mijatovic and Davor Suker on a visit to Zagreb.

Although the United boss had Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford on his books, Perisic offered something different as a more traditional winger.

Indeed, no other player in Serie A swung in more crosses in the 2016-17 season and it would not have been difficult to imagine Romelu Lukaku bettering the six headed goals he managed last season with Perisic’s service.

But United could not agree a fee and Perisic signed a new five-year deal at Inter.