Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed on Sunday night that Modric was not with his squad in the North West, and admitted that the player's 'head was not right'.
Modric has complained of a slight hamstring problem, but Redknapp told talkSPORT's Press Pass show: 'He's got a little bit of an injury. There's a possibility he could have played through it. But at the moment his head's not in the right place.'
Sitting it out: Modric is likely to miss the United match
Just 24 hours before their first Barclays Premier League game of the season - away to champions?Manchester United on Monday night -?Tottenham received their second formal offer from Chelsea.
The ?30m bid creates a further dilemma for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who says he is determined to keep Modric and is likely to reject this latest move.
Redknapp wanted the midfielder in his team against one of the clubs who have courted his signature.
But the Croatia star continues to seek to move away.
His preferred new home is Stamford Bridge, as revealed by Sportsmail earlier in the summer.
Chelsea's timing is unhelpful to Spurs, but the Stamford Bridge club, having agreed a ?29m deal for Valencia winger Juan Mata, have a week to close a deal for Modric as the transfer deadline draws closer.
Redknapp's men are preparing for their first Barclays Premier League fixture after their scheduled opener against Everton was postponed last Saturday in the wake of the nearby rioting.
Spurs played on Thursday night at Hearts in the Europa League, a match Modric missed, which means that he is not cup-tied should he move to a Champions League club.
But there is no such issue with the league.
Tottenham's performance against the Scottish side was slick but Redknapp's aim is not to be in that competition next season.
Spurs want to be back in the Champions League.
Redknapp thinks United, City and Chelsea are sure to qualify again but is hopeful Spurs can battle successfully against Arsenal and Liverpool for fourth spot.
Dilemma: Daniel levy (left) and Harry Redknapp (right)
'In all honesty, you have to fancy United, Chelsea, Man City,' Redknapp said.
'You can't see those three not making the Champions League, can you, in all honesty?
'It would be amazing if they didn't. I am being realistic, not being a pessimist. It's between ourselves, Arsenal and Liverpool for that other spot. That's how I see the season.
'If we can finish in the top three that would be great. We are aiming to be there, but I can't see that big three not making it with the team and players they've got.
'We're not far away. There's not a lot in it. We're very close. We'll get one or two players in before the window closes. The chairman is very close to doing a couple of deals.
Missed out: Stewart Downing (left) was a Tottenham target
'If we can get a couple of players in we'll look even more quality. It will improve us again.
'You have to keep improving because all the other teams have gone out and improved. Liverpool have done it. Probably only ourselves and Arsenal haven't done too much.
'Liverpool spent ?25m on a couple of players. We haven't really bought anybody except the goalkeeper Brad Friedel on a free transfer. If we get one or two in again, we'll be bang there again for sure.'
Chased: Redcap admitted he tried to sign Ashley Young (left)
Redknapp added that he had tried to sign Ashley Young, who joined United instead.
'We chased him. We chased Downing. But it was always difficult. Their wages. It was always just out of our reach. That's the problem.'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail