Manchester United are cautiously exploring the option of a move for Edinson Cavani as one of a number of clubs who have been offered the chance to sign the Paris St Germain and Uruguay striker this month.

But United officials are thought to harbour a number of reservations about a deal and are wary of repeating some of the mistakes made with the signing of Alexis Sanchez.

Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have been leading the race for Cavani, who has asked to leave PSG.

The Uruguayan’s parents have suggested his preference is to join Atletico but, while that has not discouraged Chelsea, the west London club are so far proving reluctant to meet PSG’s £12.6 million valuation of the player, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Whether United opt to formally enter the running remains to be seen but the club’s hierarchy are giving consideration to a move, even if the Sanchez experience is informing those internal discussions.

Having missed out on their top January target, Norway striker Erling Haaland, who opted to join Borussia Dortmund instead, and with Marcus Rashford now sidelined for months with a double stress fracture, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to reinforce his attacking options.