The mystery of Jose Mourinho's secret trip to Austria has finally been solved.

The Manchester United manager was pictured looking rather sheepish under a baseball cap as he tried to blend into the crowd during the exciting Austrian victory over Serbia in a World Cup qualifier at the Ernst Happel Stadion last Friday night.

Various conspiracy theories were constructed, with the Old Trafford boss variously reported as watching Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (not even in the Serbia squad), his team-mate Andrija Zivkovic or Austria defender David Alaba...but none of them were actually in their respective country's squad.

Austrian TV suggested the Portuguese coach was there to cast on eye over Southampton winger Dusan Tadic, but that has been completed ruled out by Manchester United sources, who suggest the target of the spying mission was another winger.

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Mourinho wasn't just watching Nemanja Matic (
Image:
REUTERS)

In fact, Mourinho was casting his critical eye over exciting Serbia winger Mijat Gacinovic, who at 22 years old has been identified as one of the most exciting young talents currently operating in the Bundesliga.

Gacinovic has exploded onto the international scene, scoring two goals in his first three games for his country since being awarded a full cap.

And he has made an equally strong impression in German football after signing for Eintract Frankfurt two years ago, with Bayern Munich now following the midfielder closely, and also represented at the game in Austria.

Mijat Gacinovic flattens Austria keeper Heinz Lindner (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)
Gacinovic escapes a challenge from behind (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

In fact, Gacinovic has been on the Premier League radar too for some time, with Arsenal sending scouts to watching the versatile forward in his previous two international games.

But Mourinho was alerted to the youngster's talents by his experienced midfielder Nemanja Matic, who has been quietly impressed by the Frankfurt midfielder's talent and work rate, along with his ability to play in several positions.

The United boss was keen to sign a wide player last summer after tracking Croatia star Ivan Perisic, but was thwarted in his attempt to prise the winger out of Inter Milan.

Gacinovic can play wide on both the left and right of midfield, and is seen as an exciting attacking player who can take opponents on.

But he is equally at home in central midfield and can play a creative role there, which would offer the Old Trafford boss the depth he wants with so many injuries in midfield.

Gacinovic in action during last year's German Cup final (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)
Gacinovic is represented by the same people as long-time Mourinho target Ivan Perisic (
Image:
REUTERS)

The Serb only recently signed a new contract at Frankfurt, and that means it would take a serious offer in January to get him away from Germany – especially with Munich now monitoring his progress so closely.

But Mourinho's presence in Austria shows he is serious and he has a route through to the player with Matic seen as a senior figure in the Serbia squad.

The United manager meanwhile, has been boosted by news that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is targeting a return to action in December, and could be fit to face Arsenal in the huge showdown at the Emirates on December 2.

The big man could be back soon (
Image:
AFP)

The Sweden international has played since snapping his ACL back in April, and was even released by United, but was given a contract when his recovery from the injury was shown to be ahead of schedule.

The veteran striker has been training well and is back running on grass already, which means he could be fit within six weeks, and make the game against the old enemy Arsenal.

Speaking recently, he said: “I have trained every day since I had my knee operated on, there is no vacation. It’s a new challenge but I am strong mentally and when I focus on an objective nothing can stop me.”

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