Manchester United Transfer News: Toni Kroos Targeted Amid Real Madrid Rumours

Manchester United will look to capitalise on the alleged rift that's formed between Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos and the team's management by launching a winter move for the playmaker.

That's according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, which has reported Kroos feels "less important" under new manager Rafa Benitez and is concerned about his future in Spain (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw).

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Benitez has made some tactical changes since replacing Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu helm, one of which appears to be a greater rotation in central midfield.

Ruben Jimenez of Marca recently claimed Kroos' lessened prominence is merely a result of lacking match fitness, but ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan provided a slightly more critical assessment from Benitez:

Kroos arrived in the Spanish capital from Bayern Munich last year and has previously worked under United manager Louis van Gaal during the Dutchman's two-year reign at the German outfit's helm between 2009 and 2011.

The Red Devils already signed one Bayern alumni this past summer after capturing Bastian Schweinsteiger on a three-year deal, also adding central midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind in the past 18 months.

Kroos topped Europe's passing charts in last season's Champions League, according to ESPN FC, evidence of the kind of catalytic presence he holds for Real Madrid:

A major difference for Los Blancos this season, however, is the presence of a fit and healthy Luka Modric, something they couldn't rely on for all of the last campaign.

And according to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, Benitez prefers the Croatian over Kroos as his main midfield metronome, per Sport. Real Madrid TV presenter Phil Kitromilides recently presented praise for Kroos, though, following the side's 4-0 hammering of Shakhtar Donetsk:

International compatriot Sami Khedira left the club for Juventus this past summer, but the arrival of Mateo Kovacic, along with the return of former Porto loanee Casemiro has intensified competition in the middle of the park.

Although the 2014 World Cup winner may have been seen as a vital cog in Ancelotti's Real Madrid, Kroos doesn't appear to be as highly valued under Benitez, and the Red Devils could look to pounce.

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Per Adam Crafton of the MailOnline, United were previously linked with Kroos prior to his 2014 switch to Spain, and the allure of linking back up with Van Gaal and Schweinsteiger may help the club's case.

That being said, the winter transfer window is a difficult period of the year in which to get major deals done, and United could be hard-pressed to fork out a big sum for a star who would be cup-tied in Europe.