Manchester United hopeful of landing Real Madrid midfielder

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has earmarked Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos as the ideal replacement for Michael Carrick, according to The Independent.

Carrick, 35, has entered the final six months of his existing deal but talks over a one-year extension are set to take place after the League Cup final at the end of this month.

Nevertheless, United are keen to find a long-term replacement for the England international and have revived their long-standing interest in Kroos with a view to pulling off a sensational swoop for his services this summer.

The 27-year-old was previously courted by David Moyes in 2013 before Kroos instead opted to join Madrid from Bayern Munich and he has only gone on to establish himself as one of the best central midfielders in Europe since.

Madrid handed the Germany international with a new long-term deal in October and it would take a staggering offer for Zinedine Zidane’s side to part ways with their No.8.

No player in Europe’s top five leagues has provided more assists than Kroos this season (9).

For more stats on Toni Kroos, click here to visit his WhoScored player page