Tottenham coach Juande Ramos wants to bring Michael Carrick back to White Hart Lane in the January transfer window.
England international Carrick is one of the players Ramos has targeted to provide the creative spark that the Spurs side are currently lacking to turn their season around.
It is thought the ex-Sevilla coach is prepared to pay Manchester United £18 million to resign the midfielder who left the club to move to Old Trafford just 16 months ago.
United, however, would stand to lose £600,000 having splashed out £18.6m for the former West Ham player's signature last July.
Carrick, who was overlooked by England coach Steve McClaren for the double-header of matches with Austria and Croatia, has held down a regular place in the United team this season.
That has been in no small part to Owen Hargreaves' current injury problems which has seen the former Bayern Munich midfielder forced to withdraw from England duty this week.
Carrick also faces competition from summer arrival Anderson this season, but the 26-year-old has welcomed the added pressure and has said he knows just how determined the young players are to land a first-team place at Old Trafford.
"It wasn't that long ago I was in the same position, trying to establish myself," he said.
"I have seen these boys in training for the last year or so and I know how much quality they have got.
"There is no better place to learn your trade than here. I am sure they will improve bundles just by having the opportunity to train with some of the lads we have here."
