Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could find himself with 'funds available' to strengthen his midfield in January.

The Norwegian was keen to bolster in central areas this summer with Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff a name that was continually linked with a £50million move.

But after failing to add any new faces in midfield - and after a difficult start to the new season - the Manchester Evening News have reported that club chiefs could allow Solskjaer to make a high-profile acquisition in the winter window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to have funds made available to buy a midfielder in January

United's midfield options have become younger since Ander Herrera departed on a free and players such as Scott McTominay and James Garner emerged in the first-team set-up.

The club have targeted young players with 21-year-old pair Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both arriving under Solskjaer this summer.

And so Longstaff, 21, is seen as another homegrown talent that could excel in his development at United, should a deal be struck with Newcastle.

United retained an interest in £50m-rated Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff this summer

United have endured a testing start to the new season with one win, two draws and one defeat from their opening four games.

After the £73m sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on deadline day, Solskjaer is expected to see that money come the January transfer window in a bid to add strength to his youthful midfield.

The MEN report goes on to add that Solskjaer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward convened earlier in September to discuss potential targets for next year, both in midfield and in attack with fears the side lack goals following Lukaku's summer exit.