Manchester United are considering reigniting their pursuit of Sean Longstaff as Ole Gunnar Solskjær contends with a midfield injury crisis.
Solskjær is desperate to add reinforcements this month after seeing Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay ruled out by injury.
He has retained interest in Longstaff since failing to land the Newcastle midfielder last summer - but any potential move was expected to be held off until the end of the season.
Newcastle’s £50m valuation saw United shelve their plans, but Solskjær and coach, Michael Carrick, still believe the 22-year-old would fit into their Old Trafford rebuild.
Pogba is set to undergo surgery on his ankle after suffering a setback in his recovery from the injury that has ruled him out for the majority of the season.
McTominay is out for two months with knee ligament damage.
Solskjær was already hoping to add to his squad during this window and confirmed the need had intensified, given his lack of options in midfield.
"Of course, it's playing on our decision-making when you've got two players out - Paul out for a month and Scott for two,” he said. “That will give us less options and we've got loads of games and important games. Still, it's got to be right and that's the point here.
"If (targets are) available and it's possible, we'll do something, definitely. We're looking at one or two."
Emre Can is another player United have looked at as potential option in January, while Benfica’s Gedson Fernandes has been linked over Christmas.
Declan Rice also has big admirers at United.
Solskjær also wants a top class playmaker, with James Maddison a leading target. But the Leicester star is out of reach until the summer at the earliest.
Christian Eriksen would be a cheaper option, with the Dane nearing the end of his Tottenham contract.
