Manchester United issued a triple statement of intent during the summer transfer window - but who might be on their radar for January?
Having finished as runners-up to Manchester City last term, key figures responsible for deals at Old Trafford signed Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and returning five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
A large chunk of their budget was taken up by those three high-profile additions.
As a result, the Premier League giants were unable to complete a follow-up pursuit for a quality defensive midfield player - that has, instead, been earmarked as a priority for United next summer.
There is, of course, one more opportunity to strike up business before then.
Here are 22 players who have been linked with moves to United ahead of the January transfer window;
Karim Adeyemi: Seemingly the next kid on the block. A product of the RB Salzburg academy, the 19-year-old has helped fill the void left by Erling Haaland after his departure to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020. A staggering 14 goals in 21 games this campaign has sparked attention from many elite clubs.
Nicolo Barella: A key player for Inter Milan and Italy - and one of several midfielders on this list. That's not a shock, though, given how United fared in the summer market.
Jude Bellingham: Quite simply one of the hottest prospects on the planet. Whenever the England starlet decides to move on from Dortmund, expect a lengthy queue for his signature - and United will want to be in the hunt. You can also anticipate a staggering transfer fee given Bellingham's age, ability and potential.
Yves Bissouma: Earning rave reviews for his on-field displays, the Brighton player has had his bail extended after being arrested on suspicion of assault. The 25-year-old made his first appearance for over a month during the draw with Liverpool last Saturday afternoon.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Understudy to Harry Kane in the England squad, the Everton striker has developed nicely over the last two years and has scored four goals in 11 international appearances. United, Arsenal and Saudi-backed Newcastle have been linked with a big-money swoop.
Federico Chiesa: Reports suggesting Ronaldo is a huge fan of the player emerged last month. On loan with Serie A giants Juventus from Fiorentina, the jet-heeled forward shone for Italy at Euro 2020 this summer.
Marcelo Brozovic: Another (of many) potential candidate for the holding midfield role, the Croatian helped Inter win their first Scudetto in over a decade last season. Now into the final months of his contract, Brozovic has alerted attention from interested clubs across the continent.
Leon Goretzka: One of countless central midfielders linked with United during the summer. However, since then, the Germany international has penned a new contract at Bayern Munich that will keep him at the Allianz Arena for another five years.
Erling Haaland: A high-profile scramble is poised to ensure for the Dortmund goal machine. It's reported Haaland has a near-€70million release clause that will become active at some stage this season. Might the Norwegian stay put amid that widespread interest, though?
Boubacar Kamara: A holding midfielder, check. Into the final year of his contract, check. Linked with United? You get the picture. Whenever the Old Trafford giants do find an answer to this transfer conundrum, there are set to be some empty rumour pages...
Franck Kessie: Similarly to Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba, the AC Milan player will become a free agent at the end of this campaign - unless fresh terms are agreed. An alternative to Declan Rice, perhaps, the 24-year-old fits the bill for that 'problem' holding position.
Jules Kounde: Before settling on Varane and a £34million deal with Real Madrid, the highly-rated Frenchman, who currently plays for Sevilla, was reported to have Chelsea and United battling it out. He stayed put, though, which in turn could prompt those sides - and others - into a future pursuit.
Wilfred Ndidi: Highly-rated and already fully accustomed to the intense demands of the Premier League, will the all-action Leicester City midfielder come into the reckoning for United next summer? Perhaps another one to keep an eye on if Rice falls by the wayside.
Darwin Nunez: A match-winning double vs Barcelona on matchday two in the Champions League underlined his standing as one to watch. The 22-year-old is thought to have United, City, Liverpool and Bayern tracking him amid superb goalscoring form at his current club, Benfica.
Dani Olmo: Currently with RB Leipzig, the Spain international has been mooted as a target for United, while cash-strapped La Liga giants Barcelona are thought to hold the key to his signature - as things stand.
Declan Rice: Despite concerns over the amount West Ham might command for his gut-busting services, the MEN understands Rice is still target number one as key figures responsible for deals at Old Trafford seek to address their top priority - most likely next summer.
Kalvin Phillips: Rumours, links or moves between Leeds United and Old Trafford are always controversial; just ask Eric Cantona or Alan Smith. Phillips no doubt fits the profile, but the latest suggestion is the England player wants to extend his stay at Elland Road, rather than head across the M62.
Caglar Soyuncu: A tentative link for the Leicester player has been made amid suggestions Brendan Rodgers might be the man to replace under-pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United manager.
Aurelien Tchoumeni: He's drawn high praise from Pogba and other France teammates for his early performances on the international stage. The irony here is that, if United do come calling, it would almost certainly be with a view to replacing Pogba, rather than featuring alongside him.
Who would YOU like United to sign in January? Have your say in the comments section below.
Youri Tielemans: Copy and paste from Soyuncu - though Tielemans has the ability to play Champions League and will, no doubt, be a man in demand in that regard at some stage.
Kieran Trippier: One of the players who got away from United this summer. It's thought they and Atletico Madrid were some way off in their valuation for the former Burnley and Tottenham man - who has expressed an interest to return to the UK.
Denis Zakaria: More likely to be a target for neighbours City, the Swiss fits the profile in central midfielder and has excelled for Borussia Monchengladbach, once again, this season.
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