Wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have made the picture look a lot rosier for Manchester United but it would be wrong to think that means work on renovating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad is less pressing.



If anything, the January window should now present an even greater opportunity, with the style of victories and United’s improved Premier League position helping to persuade long-term targets who might have doubted whether Old Trafford is the destination for them.



The Athletic understands Solskjaer has prioritised buying two central midfielders and a striker in January. There has, though, been a consistent message from United that winter is a tough time to do business. Perhaps still wounded by the damage of the club’s last mid-season signing, Alexis Sanchez, Ed Woodward treats January with caution.



That view is echoed by one major agent who has moved a multi-million pound player between Premier League clubs in January.