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.
Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek lose sight of their escape routes out of Old Trafford ahead of the January window, but the former has a risky backup plan at his disposal.
Meanwhile, United have reportedly reached an agreement for the services of a long-term target, but Ralf Rangnick's side remains vulnerable to a transfer hijacking.
West Ham pull out of Lingard deal
West Ham have drawn the curtains on their pursuit of Lingard, according to journalist Jonathan Shrager.
The report claims that David Moyes' side has no intention of bringing the attacking midfielder back to the London Stadium this month.
The 29-year-old sees his current contract at Old Trafford expire at the end of the season, meaning he'll become available for the Hammers to sign on a free transfer in the summer, should they wish to reignite their interest.
Our view: I think Lingard should have pushed for a move to West Ham permanently as soon as his loan in east London came to a close.
United would have been able to cash in on his inflated price tag following the 'hype' around his resurgence, but the club failed to see this - abysmal and naive management, I think.
The ship has sailed now and, while Moyes was chasing United for Lingard, the Red Devils are now chasing West Ham for a deal.
Van de Beek blows chance of United exit
Want-away United star van de Beek looks to have blown his chance of leaving Old Trafford in the January transfer window, having ditched his agent, according to the Mirror.
The report claims that the 24-year-old split with long-term adviser Guido Albers earlier last year after seeing a summer escape route to Everton fall through.
Mirror adds that United's £35 million signing from Ajax contacted rival agent Ali Dursun to find him a move during the January transfer window.
However, Van de Beek's attempt to break free looks to have caused even more damage after Albers reportedly refused to release the Dutchman from a binding contract.
The rival agent, Dursun, cannot help Van de Beek without Albers' permission – the Mirror claim that the stalemate means the midfielder is set to spend the rest of the season at United.
Our view: I feel sorry for Van de Beek, and he now essentially has to rebuild his career as a player big clubs should be interested in again - and that's if he even has the opportunity to do so with proper game time.
What is puzzling though, is that he hasn't done enough under either Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Rangnick to warrant sustained opportunities.
United reach Alvarez decision amid late competition
According to Spanish outlet El Pais, United will pay Julian Alvarez's €20 million (£16.8m) release clause next week.
However, while Rangnick may be under the illusion he is about to wrap up his first signing, the 21-year-old's agent, Fernando Hidalgo, is travelling to London, Madrid, Milan and Manchester to meet with numerous clubs to hopefully reach a deal for the striker, according to NBC Sports journalist Robert Rojas.
Our view: As per the reports, United need to wrap up a deal for Alvarez as soon as possible and prevent a nightmare repeat of that Mikel John Obi transfer mixup.
I think there may be one or two outgoings to compensate for Alvarez's arrival - the squad will be unmanageable otherwise.
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