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Cape Town - Mario Mandzukic appears to be heading for the Juventus exit in January, with Manchester United reportedly still interested in securing his services.
The Red Devils spoke with the 33-year-old's advisers earlier this summer but were shocked by his £300 000 per week salary demands, with his club still desperate to move him out.
However, it is understood Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to push again for the veteran, who is currently talking to Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
United have been alerted that even the wealthy Middle Eastern outfit are only willing to pay the Croatian international an annual salary of £7.2 million a year - £150 000-per-week.
The Manchester giants can certainly match that and are believed to have kept an 'open channel' to the player's agent, Ivan Cvjetkovic, in the hope Mandzukic might become more reasonable over his financial demands.
Solskajer was disappointed to see previous talks break down, believing the former Bayern Munich forward could bring a much-needed dose of elite experience to his depleted attacking ranks.
United sold Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan this summer and allowed Alexis Sanchez to join him at the Giuseppe Meazza on a season-long loan.
Whilst both frontmen failed to ignite properly during their fruitless time in Manchester, there is little doubt United are currently regretting not bringing in a top-class striker replacement.
They have managed to find the net just eight times in their opening six Premier League games, with four coming on the opening day win against Chelsea.
Misfiring England striker Marcus Rashford is out for around a month with a groin injury and, despite his undoubted promise, 17-year-old Mason Greenwood cannot be expected to carry the burden of scoring goals on his own.
United are unable to bring in a new face until the January window but know Mandzukic was initially excited about a potential move to the Theatre of Dreams, with Juventus certainly being realistic over a transfer fee.
- TeamTalk
