Welcome to the United On My Mind daily round-up, where we take a look at some of the best Manchester United stories that you might have missed.
United have seemingly been drawn into a January swap deal with Barcelona as either side plot the poaching of a free transfer from one another.
Meanwhile, Lingard has stepped closer to finally confirming his return to West Ham following months of ongoing speculation.
United plot January transfer gamble
Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele has edged closer to seeing out his contract at Camp Nou, having ignored Barcelona's latest contract proposal, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo .
The report claims that the Catalan side have now given the 24-year-old 15 days to decide his future at the club.
Mundo Deportivo adds that Dembele is stalling negotiations because his representatives have informed him about the more significant financial rewards on offer.
The Frenchman's contract expires at the end of the season, and he'll become eligible to begin pre-contractual talks with foreign clubs in January.
As per the report, Ralf Rangnick's side have put themselves in a position to secure Dembele's services but face competition from Newcastle United.
Our view: If United were able to keep Dembele fit and cure his knack of picking up injuries at such an unfortunate rate, then it'd be a superb signing. However, that's mission impossible, and no other side has been able to nurse his frequency of such significant injuries.
Dembele's reported reasoning behind leaving Barcelona doesn't sit right with me either, and I'm sure there's plenty of other fish in the sea.
Lingard steps closer to West Ham return
West Ham could wrap up the signing of Jesse Lingard in January for just £9.8 million, according to Fichajes .
The report claims that David Moyes' side have eyed the 28-year-old as their winter window priority and look to bring the midfield back to east London.
Lingard, who sees his current deal at Old Trafford expire at the end of the season, has featured eleven times this season for the Red Devils, averaging a mere 16.2 minutes a game.
Our view: The former Hammers loanee looks set to return to West Ham like he did last season, but this time on a permanent deal.
It baffled me why he didn't push for a move back to east London following his fruitful loan spell there; he was the star man, he had game time, and he even brought up age-old England conversation.
He needs to return to West Ham, and I hope it's not too late.
Ronaldo spells Cavani exit
Edinson Cavani has considered the possibility of joining Barcelona once his current deal with United expires at the end of the season, according to The Times .
The report claims that the 34-year-old, who agreed to a one-year extension at Old Trafford last summer, wants to play for the Spanish side before the end of his career and 'believes he can continue to play at the top level' for another two years.
Cavani became an instant success at United, scoring 16 goals in his first innings, but the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has seen the Uruguayan being relegated to diminutive game time.
Our view: I would've loved to have seen a Zidane-esque formation at United where both Ronaldo and Cavani coexist supported by Bruno Fernandes just behind.
However, the Red Devils are armed with elite wingers, which naturally made that notion challenging to justify, especially after Jadon Sancho's arrival.
I agree that he still has a few years left in him, and I think he could still be beneficiary to Rangnick this season.
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