Aleksandar Mitrovic's recent meltdown at Manchester United may have scuppered his chances of signing for the Red Devils this summer.
The Fulham talisman actually put the Cottagers in front at Old Trafford last Sunday, which would have no doubt been registered by those at the top of the United hierarchy who are thought to have been keen on landing the Serbian's signature at the end of the season, as per the Daily Star.
However, what followed soon after his goal appears to have ended any hopes he may have had of lining up in front of the Stretford End on a regular basis. Mitrovic was shown a red card for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh and was then slapped with a violent conduct charge from the Football Association.
If the initial clash with the official was bad enough, Mitrovic made matters worse by screaming in the referee's face and refusing to remove himself from the situation.
Whether the outburst has well and truly ended any interest United may have had in the striker remains to be seen, but the 28-year-old has hardly helped his chances after letting his emotions get the best of him in such explosive fashion.
The FA already confirmed last week that the former Newcastle ace faces a longer ban than the usual three matches a player recieves after a straight red. There is every chance that Mitrovic does not play again this season.
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If that were to be the case, it would both severely dent Mitrovic's hopes of landing a move to a big-six side like United and hamper Fulham's European ambitions.
Marco Silva's men currently sit ninth, but are a mere three points away from the Europa Conference League spots. While the Fulham boss was also shown a red card against United, he called on Mitrovic to do better.
Asked whether his striker can expect a lengthy ban, Silva replied: "I didn't see in a so, so bad way, he pushed the referee and Mitro should control his emotions. I saw the image and I will speak with him.
"But I hope the people who are going to decide do so with fairness that the moment deserves."
Despite Silva's claim, the FA are under pressure to make an example out of Mitrovic in a bid to try and send a message and stamp out cases of grassroots referees being attacked, both verbally and physically.
At this time, it is believed that a 10-game ban for the forward is the mot likely outcome.
