United retain an interest in Fàbregas, but have had two bids rejected by Barcelona

Manchester United are planning a £25 million bid to sign Luka Modric from Real Madrid after coming to the reluctant realisation that they are unlikely to secure any of their primary transfer targets.

United began the summer with genuine aspirations of marking the start of the David Moyes era at Old Trafford with a stellar signing such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or Cesc Fàbregas, but despite making several inquiries the club have been frustrated on all three fronts and forced to look elsewhere.

United retain an interest in Fàbregas, but, having had two bids rejected by Barcelona, they have accepted that they are unlikely to complete the deal, while they have received so little encouragement in their pursuit of Ronaldo and Bale that they