Man Utd news and transfers: Ronaldo wants Di Maria reunion, Mata exit, Pogba snub
MANCHESTER UNITED are confident of moving forward with a deal for Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, and will use former team-mate Angel Di Maria as bait.
Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy with Real Madrid following the sale of Angel Di Maria[GETTY]
The Portugal international is likely to leave Spain at the end of the season after falling out with the club's hierarchy, and has been tipped to join one of United, Chelsea or Manchester City.
However, Louis Van Gaal is well aware of Ronaldo's close bond with Di Maria, and will use to Argentine to convince the Ballon d'Or holder that his future lies at Old Trafford.
The midfielder, who was the subject of a big-money bid from Chelsea over the summer, has confirmed he is in talks with the Serie A champions over a new contract, and is expected to triple his current wages.
As Van Gaal continues to reshape his squad, some players are destined for the chop, and one of those appears to be Juan Mata.
The playmaker has been with United for less than a year, but is likely to leave in January for Roma, with Van Gaal plotting an audacious swap deal in order to secure the midfielder's signature.
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