Manchester United Transfer News: Top Rumours on Christmas Day

Manchester United target Leroy Sane will not be leaving Schalke during the January transfer window, according to his agent, while reports of the Red Devils' interest in James Rodriguez continue to grow.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Jurgen Milewski said client Sane isn't in line to depart the Veltins-Arena this winter (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express): "Schalke is the best place Leroy could be. A winter transfer is not an issue. He is very happy at Schalke."

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Sane, 19, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Miners this season after netting five goals in 24 appearances across all competitions, attracting the interest of Europe's elite as a result.

The teenager's rise to fame was highlighted by BT Sport, which dubbed his solo finish against Eintracht Frankfurt in September one of the division's five best goals of the season thus far:

Manchester United added to their attacking resources over the summer with the signings of Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial, but there still appears to be a spark missing at Old Trafford.

Juan Mata was been utilised out wide under Louis van Gaal, even though his preferred position is thought to be as a No. 10, while Depay has struggled since joining the Red Devils from PSV Eindhoven.

United will be saddened to hear Sane is content in his current setting, although the club should perhaps be assessing more established talents in a bid to reverse their spiralling form.

Sane received further honours earlier in December, when Schalke's official Twitter account revealed he'd been chosen as Footballer of the Year in North Rhine-Westphalia. That feat becomes all the more impressive when you consider that region includes Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach:

Another source of creativity is Real Madrid ace Rodriguez, and Spanish journalist Jose Luis Sanchez (h/t the Irish Independent) reported United will battle Chelsea in an effort to sign the attacking-midfield maestro next summer.

Rodriguez moved to the Bernabeu from Monaco in the summer of 2014, but the €80 million (£58.8 million) signing has seen his confidence rocked of late following an alleged falling out with manager Rafa Benitez.

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

The Irish Independent touched upon Benitez's friction with certain members of the Real squad, while Catalonia-based newspaper Sport suggested the playmaker's active nightlife could be an issue.

Bleacher Report UK recently posted an image that appeared to show the player "snubbing" Benitez after being taken off in the Copa del Rey game against Cadiz:

Those factors will work in favour of the Red Devils, but much could rest on how long Benitez remains manager of Los Merengues and whether that will influence Rodriguez's stay.

It's likely United would be only too happy to make a move for the disgruntled Blancos star if he becomes available, but it's likely to require a mighty investment in order to convince the Spanish giants to sell.