Real ace to add steel to United's midfield

(29-12-2010) Sir Alex Ferguson has earmarked Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra as the man to add steel to Manchester United’s midfield in the New Year. With Owen Hargreaves looking increasingly unlikely to play for the club again, and with Paul Scholes nearing the end of a distinguished career, French ace Diarra is the front runner to take the Red Devils forward. Diarra has become increasingly frustrated at Real where German World Cup stars Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira are blocking his way into the starting line-up. Real boss Jose Mourinho is likely to let him leave if United fork out £12m. The tough-tackling 25-year-old cost £20m from Portsmouth two years ago. He will however not be available to play for United in this season's Champions League.