Manchester United confident of signing Real Madrid star after giving up on Ronaldo and Bale

Manchester United believe landing Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer transfer window is extremely unlikely, and as a result they have turned their attentions to the superstar duo's Real Madrid teammate James Rodriguez.

Ed Woodward is expected to spend big money on players yet again next summer in a bid to bring back Manchester United's glory days. Chance of an English Premier League title this season seems gone after an underwhelming first half to the season, but the club will look to start afresh next campaign with a couple of superstar signings in tow.

Neymar is thought to be the number one choice for Manchester United next summer, but the feeling is the Brazilian is only drumming up English Premier League interest in order to land a lucrative new contract with Barcelona.

Ronaldo and Bale are also options for Manchester United and could yet be realistic ones provided how the rest of the season goes. However, a player who could be available, as soon as January, is James Rodriguez, with the Colombian not having the greatest of seasons under Rafa Benitez.

Various reports have suggested Rodriguez does not quite get along with Benitez – played down by Real Madrid – and Manchester United believe they have a pretty good chance of signing the 24-year-old, according to The Sun, provided they make the right offer.

Rodriguez was bought by Real Madrid for big bucks from Monaco, and if Manchester United are to sign the talented playmaker they will have to put in a bid in excess of £60million, if not more.

Manchester United do need to add a creative spark to their team, with Louis Van Gaal's men, most often, playing dour possession-hogging football. There were signs of the shackles breaking in the first half of the 0-0 draw against Chelsea, and maybe someone as talented as Rodriguez, or indeed Felipe Anderson, another player linked with a move, is what Manchester United need to finally hit those levels they really should be hitting, considering the massive resources at their disposal.