Kaka
Kaka has come back into Jose Mourinho's first-team plans in recent games, but would appear an unlikely target for Manchester United. Reuters

Manchester United are said to be trying to offer up Javier Hernandez to Real Madrid in an effort to secure one of their star names. The bold claim comes from the Daily Star, who name a number of the La Liga side’s players whom United would welcome to Old Trafford.

Hernandez has fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Robin van Persie, although he started in United’s last match, in the Champions League against CFR Cluj. Both Hernandez and United have previously said that the player will not be leaving.

The Star claims that United’s “dream target” is Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka—a suggestion that appears unlikely for a number of reasons. To begin with, the former Milan star operates best in the same position as highly-rated recent recruit Shinji Kagawa.

There is also that fact that Kaka has fallen some way from the performances that saw him voted as the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007. With United’s focus on youth, signing a 30-year-old on huge wages, who most observers consider past his prime, would be a curious move.

It is also reported by the Star that United are still monitoring the situation with Real defender Sergio Ramos. The Spain international was thought to be unsettled at the Bernabeu after being left out of their Champions League encounter with Manchester City last month, amid reports of a falling out with boss Jose Mourinho.

Since then, though, Ramos has stated on more than once occasion his happiness and desire to remain with the club that he joined from Sevilla in 2005.

The other players mentioned as being on United’s wish list are fellow-defenders Raul Abiol and Raphael Varane, as well as midfielder Nuri Sahin who is currently on loan at Liverpool.

A more concrete Manchester United target would appear to be Blackpool winger Tom Ince. The 20-year-old, son of former United midfielder Paul, is said to be close to a £4 million January move to Old Trafford, according to the Sun.

The latest comments from Ince’s manager Ian Holloway, however, suggest that the Championship club have a significantly higher valuation.

“I can’t keep our players, but I’m working with them to get them to a United or an Arsenal,” Holloway said, according to the Sun.

“If we are not successful this year Tom may get there before I can, so do I want to stand in his way? Probably not.

“But we deserve a fair amount of money for him.

“I don’t think Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott are better than him. If Arsenal had bought him, he would be playing for England now.”

Finally, Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Cluj attacking midfielder Rafael Bastos, by TalkSport. The Brazilian, 27, scored both goals in Cluj’s opening Champions League victory against his former club Braga before also impressing against United on Tuesday.

Bastos’s contract is due to expire in 2014 and, according to the report, Sir Alex Ferguson will keep tabs on him over the next few months.

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