ZORAN Tosic has been enjoying a small summer window of opportunity ahead of his giant task at United next season.

While candidates to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, either already at Old Trafford or on the Reds' transfer radar, have been off on holiday, the 22-year-old Serbian has been in Sweden starring in the European Under-21 Championships.

With Fergie's spies monitoring the tournament Tosic, who started his third game in Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat to Sweden, has been able to steal a march on rivals like Nani and Wigan's Antonio Valencia.

United reserve coach Ole Solskjaer has passed on his observations of Tosic to the Reds boss.

The Norwegian's opinion is well respected by Ferguson and the Red legend knows him well after nurturing the January arrival in the second string.

Tosic was part of a £15m package from Partizan Belgrade in the New Year transfer window that will see teenage midfielder Adem Ljajic move to England next winter.

The winger made two surprise sub appearances for United's first team within days of his arrival from Serbia.

But after appearing against Spurs and West Brom he spent the rest of the campaign in Solksjaer's charge.

Tosic arrived with the nickname Bambi which understandably many believed was due to his spindly legs.

Physique

But it was a throwback to the days as a kid when his mother sent him off to training with biscuits shaped like the Disney deer!

He knew there would be question marks over his physique and said: "I'm sure nobody from Manchester thinks I'm a player who is good in physical battles, tackling or jumping.

"They saw my other characteristics. The others can be super-imposed to make me a real player, but the qualities I already have aren't easy to super-impose on others."

Fergie compared him more to a box-to-box winger like a David Beckham rather than Ronaldo. Some have likened his willingness to get up and down the pitch to Ryan Giggs and the older generation have compared him to Steve Coppell.

Tosic will be his own man and has now got used to the bumps and bruises that were the welcome card he got in England.

"In a few games for the reserves, the players kicked me and I was wondering what is going on - I am going home, I cannot play here," he said.

"Then I got through that, and now it's normal for me. My best position is on the wing, either one. My left foot is stronger but I can play on the right and come inside.

"The people from Manchester think I can play better on the left side."

Tosic will have a mini-break after the Under-21 competition but has already targeted United's opening pre-season match against a Malaysian XI in the Bukit Jalil Stadium on July 18 as the start of his major challenge.

The Reds kick off their warm up for the new campaign in the Far East.

"When we go on tour I hope I'm going to get a chance and I'm ready. I want to try to have a breakthrough," said Tosic.

"Everybody's wondering if I can replace Ryan Giggs, if I can adapt to the tempo. I'm not bothered by that, really. I've never been afraid in my life, and I'm not afraid now."

ENGLAND under-21s will play hosts Sweden in the European Championships semi-finals on Friday with Italy facing Germany in the other game.

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