Manchester United target Toni Kroos as Jose Mourinho plots midfield three with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has identified Real Madrid star Toni Kroos as his number one target to replace Michael Carrick this summer.

The 36-year-old is set to retire at the end of the season and will join Mourinho’s backroom staff after a trophy-laden 12 years at Old Trafford.

Mourinho is hopeful that Marouane Fellaini will sign a new deal so that he can use the bulk of his summer budget on obtaining a world class midfielder.

Kroos, 28, was close to joining the Red Devils on a free transfer in 2014 but Louis van Gaal’s appointment scuppered an agreement that was all-but in place under David Moyes.

According to the Independent, Real Madrid are planning a summer overhaul with a number of high profile exits and United are ready to test their resolve to keep Kroos.

The German is open to a move to the Premier League and his arrival would afford Mourinho the type of midfield that could see Paul Pogba thrive in a red shirt.

The Frenchman wants to play in a midfield three like he did with Juventus and Kroos is seen as the ideal fold ahead of Matic and behind Pogba in the middle of the park.

More: Manchester United FC

Mourinho admitted earlier this month that he will sign at least one midfielder this summer.

‘We need to sign a midfield player,’ said Mourinho.

‘Because we are going to lose Michael Carrick. Of course, we need balance in the team.

‘Some of you [the media] keep saying that we are going to buy that striker, that winger, that left winger, that right winger.

‘You can accuse me of many things, but you cannot say that I lied to you. When I don’t want to say things, I don’t say [them]. But I don’t take you in other directions. We are looking and we are going to try to sign a midfield player.’

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