Van Gaal hoping to sign Rodriguez in January

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is hoping to lure James Rodriguez to Old Trafford in January, according to reports in Spain.

The Colombian has been sidelined by Rafa Benitez - who has used Modric and Kroos as his preferred option in midfield - and is keen to leave the Bernabeu in order to get regular first team football.

Van Gaal is looking for attacking reinforcements in the January window, given the Red Devils lack of creativity in the final third and believes that the 24-year old can provide that cutting edge so desperately lacking.

Memphis Depay’s struggles to adapt to the Premier League has meant that the Dutch boss has set his sights on Rodriguez, although its unclear as to whether Real Madrid will let him leave unless they can recoup a majority of the reported £63m they paid to secure his services.