You can’t blame a man for trying.

Luka Modric Tottenham Hotspur 2008/09

Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a pre-deadline swoop on Tottenham for Luka Modric – and may offer Michael Carrick back to the White Hart Lane club as part of a swap deal, according to reports.

Carrick did not even make the match-day squad for the 5-0 romp at Wigan last Saturday amid reports of a fall-out with Ferguson over his performance – and penalty miss – in the shock 1-0 defeat to Burnley and bitter rivals Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the England midfielder as they look to offset the loss of influential lynchpin Xabi Alonso.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to recruit a creative type to compliment his industrious midfielders but is certain to be rebuffed in his attempts to lure Croatia favourite Modric to Old Trafford.

“Luka Modric is a fantastic player, so is Michael Carrick,” Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

“I want to keep Luka here and I am sure Alex wants to keep Michael at Man Utd, so that’s a load of rubbish.

“He (Ferguson) likes him (Modric) but I like Ronaldo. I couldn’t get him. It’s never going to happen. Alex has never made an approach for him.”

Ferguson’s response was pointed and terse when quizzed last week about whether he intended to make any more new signings before the September 1 transfer deadline.

Modric has also denied he has had any contact with United and even hinted at extending his stay in north London beyond 2013 when his contract runs out.

“I don’t know anything about the Manchester United link,” Modric told Sportske Novosti.

“I read about it in the newspapers, and one paper even published quotes from me saying I was happy to be on Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar.

“But the truth is that I didn’t say anything to anybody about this. They were not my words.”