United suffer blow in bid to sign playmaker.
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Manchester United target Luka Modric may now be forced to stay at Real Madrid as cover for the injured Xabi Alonso, according to the Daily Express.
The former Tottenham midfielder has struggled to find his best form since moving to Spain a year ago, and has been linked with a return to the Premier League for much of the summer.
Chelsea and Manchester City are said to have been monitoring his situation, but United are particularly keen on signing the Croatian as they search for a long-term replacement for the recently-retired Paul Scholes.
New Red Devils boss David Moyes has failed in attempts to sign Thiago Alcantara, Cesc Fabregas and Kevin Strootman, but sees Modric as another good option to offer his side more creativity from the middle of the park.
But with news that Madrid midfielder Alonso faces three months on the sidelines with injury, Modric could now find himself first choice at the Bernabeu, and will be hoping to take the opportunity to impress.
The 27-year-old has previously expressed a desire to fight for his place at the Bernabeu, and manager Carlo Ancelotti may also feel he cannot afford to lose him following news of Alonso’s injury.