Man Utd to make stunning January swoop for Christian Eriksen after failed Real Madrid move

MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing a shock move for Spurs maestro Christian Eriksen in January.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not be deterred by the club's failure to land the 27-year-old Dane in the summer window.

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Eriksen claimed he wanted a "new challenge" at the end of last season and a dream move to Real Madrid was his desired outcome.

But the move fell through before the Spanish transfer window slammed shut yesterday, paving the way for United to swoop again in January.

Solskjaer's side have lacked a creative spark this season with Jesse Lingard - the man Eriksen would likely replace - having failed to contribute a single Premier League goal or assist in 2019.

And United have managed just three goals in their last three games and Solskjaer thinks Eriksen can be the creative spark his team currently lack - especially as his fellow Scandinavian is in his peak years.

The Red Devils were interested in the playmaker all summer and were willing to pay around £70million in a deal Spurs were keen on.

I wish I could decide just like in Football Manager, but unfortunately I can't

Christian Eriksen on his future

United even held talks with Eriksen but shelved their plans when it became clear the attacking midfielder preferred a move to Spain.

Despite having his heart set on a Los Blancos switch, Eriksen was flattered by United's interest.

And the move is not dead in the water as Old Trafford chiefs will revive their interest in the new year as the Dane has been left high and dry at Tottenham.

Eriksen - whose Spurs contract expires next summer - is uncomfortable with the idea of the North Londoners not getting a fee for him

And as a result, United may try their luck again.

But if Eriksen appears willing to run his contract down by that time, the fee would inevitably be lower than the £70m United were willing to pay this summer.

Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes was another United target over the summer but the Red Devils have backed off because the Portuguese was a late target for Real and he could still make the move to the Spanish capital in January.

Eriksen recently admitted he wished transfers were as easy in real life as they are on Football Manager.

He confessed: "I wish I could decide just like in Football Manager, but unfortunately I can't.

"For me it's not hard to clear my head. I don't read much of what is written.

"And now I have been involved for many years, where there have been many rumours every year.

"But it's clear that it's been a little more rife this year because my contract is about to expire. There has been a lot said about me.

"I should have been looking at houses in Madrid [according to the speculation], but I have to be honest and say that all that writing is not something that bothers me. At all."

Erisken scored the opener in his side's 2-2 North London derby draw with Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday - proving just how important he is to Tottenham who have had a stumbling start to the season.