Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos had reportedly been set to join Manchester United this summer, until Louis van Gaal pulled the plug on the move.
The German international put on a man-of-the match display as his country beat Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals of the World Cup last night.
Under former boss David Moyes, Kroos had been identified as the player to improve United's midfield, but according to The Mirror, Van Gaal, who agreed to take charge of the Premier League club earlier this summer, was not convinced that the German was the right player.
As a result, Van Gaal sanctioned the move of Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera.
Kroos now looks likely to join Real Madrid for a figure in the region of £17m.
