Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Toni Kroos to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal's opposition to midfielder could hint at manager's sacking

Van Gaal pulled the plug on a move for Kroos two years ago when he left Bayern Munich

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 28 April 2016 09:10 BST

Manchester United wanted to sign Toni Kroos in 2014 when he left Bayern Munich (Getty)

Manchester United are ready to relaunch their pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, despite Louis van Gaal’s opposition to signing the World Cup winner.

Van Gaal pulled the plug on a move for Kroos when he arrived at the club in 2014, with United instead signing Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao and Kroos’ Germany team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger the following year.

United were originally in the hunt for Kroos when he was playing for Bayern Munich, but the move was scrapped and instead he completed a transfer to Real, with the Spanish side having just completed the famous La Decima after winning the 2013/14 Champions League.

According to The Mirror, United are ready to resurrect their interest in the 26-year-old this summer and will look to lure the German to Old Trafford regardless of Van Gaal’s position over the playmaker, raising further doubts over the Dutchman’s future as manager.

With Van Gaal already facing serious doubts about his tenure at United, the move suggests that the former Ajax, Barcelona and Netherlands manager will not be in charge at the club next season. Jose Mourinho remains the favourite to take over at United – a job he has courted since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 – and while talks have taken place between Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, no official offer has been made to the Portuguese.

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Show all 11

1/11Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

John Stones

Mourinho's admiration for the Everton defender is well known with the Portuguese coach understood to have been behind Chelsea's bids for the England international last summer. Everton refused to relent back then but an offer of even more money from Manchester United might be too tempting to turn down.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas was understood to be on Manchester United's radar when he left Barcelona for Chelsea and the Spain international is of the quality that would improve United's current squad. Despite the reports that the former Arsenal player was among those who forced Mourinho out at Stamford Bridge, he was one of the few to speak publicly in glowing terms of Mourinho. "Thank you for all you have done for me," he wrote on Twitter. "I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future."

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Gareth Bale

Manchester United hold a long-term interest in Bale and Mourinho's arrival will only strengthen their determination to sign the Wales international. It's been suggested that the Real Madrid forward has been put off moving to Old Trafford due to the uncertainty surrounding the club, but the appointment of Mourinho would go a long way to dispelling fears that Manchester United are a club in flux.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata has caught the eye of Arsenal, Chelsea and United, but the appointment of Mourinho as manager could give the Manchester club the advantage. Any move for Morata is likely to involve Real Madrid, and Mourinho's good relationship with his former club would help smooth over negotiations.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Raphael Varane

Manchester United spent much of last summer pursuing Sergio Ramos, but a repeat attempt to sign the Real Madrid centre-back appears highly unlikely if Mourinho takes charge due to their tempestuous relationship during their shared time at the Bernabeu. A move for Ramos' fellow centre-back Varane does seem plausible though, with Mourinho signing the defender from Lens and giving him his opportunity at Real Madrid.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Paul Pogba

Who doesn't want Paul Pogba? Despite claims the midfielder will move to Barcelona in the summer, nothing has been confirmed and while that remains the case the France international will continue to be linked with big-money moves elsewhere, including a return to Manchester United. Chelsea reportedly made a huge bid for the 22-year-old last summer, confirming that Mourinho is a fan.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Andre Gomes

The Valencia midfielder emerged on United's radar before Mourinho was linked with the club, but he appears to be a fan of the 22-year-old. One problem will be Valencia's valuation, which currently sits in excess of £40m.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Luka Modric

Mourinho revealed that he tried to sign Modric for Chelsea in 2014, confirming that a reunion with the player he worked with at Real Madrid appeals. It was Mourinho who signed the Croatian from Tottenham in 2012 and with the 30-year-old still operating at the top level on a consistent basis, he would certainly have something to offer Manchester United.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Joao Mario

Joao Mario is wanted by Mourinho after the Sporting Lisbon midfielder impressed his compatriot. Valued at around £27m, the 23-year-old would be an expensive acquisition for United, but he could follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo in heading to Old Trafford from the Portuguese club.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Ezequiel Garay

Garay worked under Mourinho at Real Madrid, but while he is being linked with a move to United, it's uncertain if he would be considered a first-team starter. Garay was sold by Mourinho to Benfica in 2011, having failed to impress the Portuguese, and he could be brought in to try and add the defensive depth that United are clearly lacking.

Getty

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Mauro Icardi

The Inter Milan captain has reiterated his commitment to the Italian side, but offers are still expected to be made for the 23-year-old with both United and Arsenal linked with the striker as well as Chelsea.

Getty

One stumbling point for United in their pursuit of Kroos is that the German will not leave Real for a club that is unable to offer Champions League football. With United currently fifth in the Premier League, they must catch either Arsenal or Manchester City to qualify for next season’s tournament to ensure they are able to attract the best players to the club.

Louis van Gaal is facing the sack if he misses out on the top four (Getty)

United are also in the FA Cup final, but success in the tournament is unlikely to save Van Gaal if he misses out on the top four. The intriguing dilemma is that United could try to use Mourinho’s past links with Kroos to bring him to the club given Mourinho managed him at Real, but the Portuguese may only get the job if United miss out on Champions League qualification.

Kroos remains a key figure in the Real starting line-up under Zinedine Zidane, but his form has come under scrutiny this season and his previous admission that he would like to play in the Premier League could well pave the way for a move to United.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies