Manchester United are keeping tabs on Mesut Ozil's situation at Real Madrid. The Daily Express says Ozil has been admired by Sir Alex Ferguson, who is looking for a creative spark to succeed midfield maestro Paul Scholes when he retires.

United appear to be frontrunners for the Germany international, who has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu.

But the latest news of a bust-up with Real's boss Jose Mourinho, has fuelled further speculation that Ozil's departure is imminent.

German paper kreiszeitung.de said that the spat dates back to a match between Real and Deportivo La Coruna.

They report that Mourinho scolded Ozil, in which he shouted: "With this performance, you are useless for Real Madrid."