Steve Bruce's January transfer kitty is not expected to be affected by the 80% drop in profits at Mike Ashley's holding company.
MASH Holdings saw a huge dip in profits in their financial results this week but Bruce has already been assured there would be money to spend in the January window should he need it.
Ashley is well aware that Premier League relegation would dent his business life even further and is prepared to take measures to avoid it should Newcastle still be in the thick of things come the turn of the year.
Ashley said in his company's annual results last week: "The club will have challenges to face as it looks to remain in the Premier League subsequent to the 2019-20 season." Bruce has his own ideas in terms of recruitment, but will work hand in hand with head of recruitment Steve Nickson and the rest of the scouting team.
A transfer meeting will take place next week at the club involving Bruce, Nickson and managing director Lee Charnley.
United did not spend all of their transfer kitty in the summer and a portion of funds is still available, plus the budgeted transfer pot for the winter window.
United also have Premier League loan deals as an option and two possible temporary overseas loans.
Bruce is sceptical about the January trading period n many ways and has repeatedly stated he sees it as a "difficult window".
He said on Friday: "We have a meeting next week with Steve Nickson, the chief scout. But it’s always difficult in January.
"If there’s somebody out there who can improve us we’ll try to act, but in terms of big conversations, I haven’t really had them yet.
"I know what I would like to have, but whether you get it is a different thing.
"If you can’t get it, you have to be patient.
"Bringing people in for the sake of it is not the right thing, but if you can get somebody who can improve the team, any manager would act.
"We’ll try to do our best."
