The Premier League giants are aware the defender is considering leaving Los Blancos, but have had their fingers burned in the past by big-name players angling for new contracts
And so it is with Sergio Ramos this summer. United are interested in the player, that is a certainty. They have the funds to make him a huge financial offer to tempt him away from Real Madrid, and while the Spaniard's contracted release clause of €200m represents a prohibitive sum, a package could be put together to ensure the offer is also in Madrid's interests.
On the Ramos side, there is also now a measure of clarity following showdown talks with the club's hierarchy on Wednesday. While reports of him demanding a move may be a little wide of the mark.
360metrosports understands the player made clear his unhappiness with leaks bring made to the press, the proposed terms of his new contract and his relationship with club supremo Fiorentino Perez, which has deteriorated over a number of years to the current crisis level.
But United have been here before. They were confident when Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill flew out to Munich in late 2010 that they would return back to England with Bastian Schweinsteiger a United player. The German signed a new contract with Bayern Munich not 24 hours later.
And after hearing all the right noises behind the scenes they were confident in the summer of 2013 that they could wrap up a deal to sign Cesc Fabregas.
Despite very public assurances that the midfielder would stay at Camp Nou, United were painted a very different picture in private, hence their distinctly overt pursuit played out in the media. But the player got the assurances he was seeking from then boss Tata Martino and he opted to stay in Spain - for a year at least.
The Premier League club were also monitoring Dani Alves' situation closely this summer, only for the full-back to pen a new Barcelona deal after weeks of flirting with the idea of a new adventure and fanning the flames of reports linking him to Old Trafford.
And after hearing all the right noises behind the scenes they were confident in the summer of 2013 that they could wrap up a deal to sign Cesc Fabregas.
Despite very public assurances that the midfielder would stay at Camp Nou, United were painted a very different picture in private, hence their distinctly overt pursuit played out in the media. But the player got the assurances he was seeking from then boss Tata Martino and he opted to stay in Spain - for a year at least.
The Premier League club were also monitoring Dani Alves' situation closely this summer, only for the full-back to pen a new Barcelona deal after weeks of flirting with the idea of a new adventure and fanning the flames of reports linking him to Old Trafford.
United - knowingly - are the perfect pitch club for any player or, more likely, agent with something at stake, be it a transfer or an improved contract. Link yourself or your player with one of the world's biggest clubs and sit back and reap the benefits.
Now with Ramos, they will play the waiting game.
United, while not showing their hand, are able to conclude a deal as soon as it is made clear there is one to be done. They first enquired after Ramos as part of the ongoing talks around Real Madrid's interest in David De Gea, and the defender fits perfectly into vice-chairman Ed Woodward's desire to sign big-name players in every transfer window.
Louis van Gaal does not covet Galaticos for Galaticos' sake, but was happy to receive Angel Di Maria last year and similarly would welcome the opportunity to strengthen a weak defence next season with a player of Ramos' capabilities.
Much, though, depends on Real's ability and willingness to build bridges.
Ramos is a more imposing character than, for example, Iker Casillas, and simply will not tolerate the current situation for long. He made as much clear during his meeting with Jose Angel Sanchez, Madrid's general director, at Valdebebas on Wednesday.
How hard Ramos will push for an exit remains to be seen, although it is certainly suggested in Spain that these are end times at the Santiago Bernabeu for the Andalusian. It is, however, currently considered unlikely that he will submit an official transfer request - not least as it would void any loyalty payments due, and after 10 years of service they certainly are.
As bitter and irretrievable as the current situation seems, stranger things have happened in football and it would not come as a great surprise to United supporters if Ramos ends up penning a €10m-per-year deal to extend his Bernabeu stay well into a second decade.
For United, such an outcome would be all too familiar. For Ramos read Alves, for Schweinsteiger read Fabregas.
And so the waiting game continues; United poised to pounce and Ramos contemplating his next move.
Now with Ramos, they will play the waiting game.
United, while not showing their hand, are able to conclude a deal as soon as it is made clear there is one to be done. They first enquired after Ramos as part of the ongoing talks around Real Madrid's interest in David De Gea, and the defender fits perfectly into vice-chairman Ed Woodward's desire to sign big-name players in every transfer window.
Louis van Gaal does not covet Galaticos for Galaticos' sake, but was happy to receive Angel Di Maria last year and similarly would welcome the opportunity to strengthen a weak defence next season with a player of Ramos' capabilities.
Much, though, depends on Real's ability and willingness to build bridges.
Ramos is a more imposing character than, for example, Iker Casillas, and simply will not tolerate the current situation for long. He made as much clear during his meeting with Jose Angel Sanchez, Madrid's general director, at Valdebebas on Wednesday.
How hard Ramos will push for an exit remains to be seen, although it is certainly suggested in Spain that these are end times at the Santiago Bernabeu for the Andalusian. It is, however, currently considered unlikely that he will submit an official transfer request - not least as it would void any loyalty payments due, and after 10 years of service they certainly are.
As bitter and irretrievable as the current situation seems, stranger things have happened in football and it would not come as a great surprise to United supporters if Ramos ends up penning a €10m-per-year deal to extend his Bernabeu stay well into a second decade.
For United, such an outcome would be all too familiar. For Ramos read Alves, for Schweinsteiger read Fabregas.
And so the waiting game continues; United poised to pounce and Ramos contemplating his next move.
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