Manchester United accept they face a battle to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos.
The Guardian says United have accepted that their chances of signing Kroos this summer are "remote".
The German playmaker starred in the Champions League against the Reds once again this week and is David Moyes' chief summer target.
But with United struggling to provide top-level European football next season and the likely competition - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea - for his signature, they are now reckoned to be accepting defeat in the battle to sign the Bayern Munich star.