Manchester United have shelved plans to sign Benfica defender Victor Lindelof until the summer at the earliest, and have not made a bid for the Sweden international this month.

The 22-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation that he will join United during the January transfer window, with manager Jose Mourinho currently making plans to cope without centre-back Eric Bailly while he turns out for the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.

But it looks like those reports have been wide of the mark, with the BBC’s Simon Stone claiming that the Premier League outfit will not be making any offers for the Lindelof this month, simply due to the resurgence of Phil Jones this season after his return from injury.

One player who didn’t appear so safe though is Memhpis Depay, with Stone admitting he expects him to leave.

“I would think there might be a defender coming in but before that, I would think that Memphis Depay would probably go as well. I don’t see [that] he’s got any future at Manchester United. Maybe Bastian Schweinsteiger, although that’s less certain. But if Memphis goes, I imagine that Jose might try and bring in another defender.

Manchester United's potential summer transfers Show all 6 1 /6 Manchester United's potential summer transfers Manchester United's potential summer transfers <b>In:</b> Victor Lindelof United have been linked with signing the Benfica centre-back for some time now. Rumours have however surfaced that the Red Devils might be deterred at the fact that the Swede has signed a new contract which will increase his release clause to a reported £50m. Manchester United's potential summer transfers <b>In:</b> Virgil van Dijk The Southampton central defender was subject to a lot of interest from the league’s big clubs approaching the January transfer window. Many clubs will likely return for him when the window reopens. Manchester United's potential summer transfers <b>In:</b> Antoine Griezmann One of the world’s most sought-after talents, United would have to pay big money to bring him to Old Trafford. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming to the end of his career, Griezmann could be seen as a long-term choice to spearhead United’s attack. Atletico’s main man won Player of the Tournament at Euro 2016, after scoring six goals. Manchester United's potential summer transfers <b>In:</b> James Rodriguez The Colombian international has spent most of this season on the sidelines, with most of his appearances coming from off the bench. Despite this, it would still require a high fee for Real Madrid to let him go after they signed him from Monaco for £63m. Manchester United's potential summer transfers <b>In:</b> Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco This campaign, United have failed to have a consistent performer in the left-wing role with Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard flattering to deceive for the most part. Carrasco would be a perfect fit, slotting in alongside Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in their front three. They’d have to break the bank to prise the 23-year-old away from the Vicente Calderon, though. Manchester United's potential summer transfers <b>In:</b> Nelson Semedo United have been heavily linked with Semedo’s teammate Lindelof, but reports suggest that Mourinho is interested in the right-back also.

“It has, that’s the information that we keep being told. There’s a lot of reports, still, about Lindelof in Portugal but the word from here is that Manchester United have not bid and won’t be bidding.”

Depay’s future certainly looks less certain, with Everton still hoping to sign the Netherlands winger along with Morgan Schneiderlin. A £22m deal was agreed between the two clubs on Tuesday night for Schneiderlin, and the France international will undergo a medical on Wednesday along with discussing personal terms. The agreement includes add-ons that could see the fee Everton pay United for the 27-year-old increase to £24m depending on his performance and appearances.

Depay is still wanted by Everton, but only if United agree to a loan move (Getty)

Depay’s situation is less clear. Everton retain interest in the Dutchman, but only on a loan until the end of the season, whereas United want to sell him on a permanent basis for a fee around £15m.

The Schneiderlin deal could pave the way for United to move immediately for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, with ESPN claiming that the France Under-21 international has become Mourinho’s top priority now that he has agreed to sell Schneiderlin.

Bakayoko is reportedly Mourinho's top transfer target in January (Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

22-year-old Bakayoko has caught the eye in Ligue 1 this season, with Monaco currently second in the table and ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, and he is seen as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick as he offers a more defensive option to Paul Pogba, should the two pair up in the midfielder together.