After spending north of £120million during the summer transfer window, Manchester United are unlikely to give their cheque book such a hammering in the January window.
In a bid to turn themselves back into genuine Premier League title contenders, United invested heavily in the squad during the summer, completing big-money deals for Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Unfortunately, their season, certainly so far, has not gone the way that anyone would have hoped for, meaning questions are beginning to be asked about whether or not they will look to dive back into the market next month for fresh faces.
While nothing can be ruled, and new additions should not be off limits, United are not likely to spend lavish amounts of money mid-season, especially when it remains to be seen who will be appointed as their permanent manager.
Nevertheless, the bookmakers are linking United with moves for a whole host of players, including several who already apply their trade in the Premier League.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a close look at four players the bookmakers are currently linking with moves to Old Trafford.
Franck Kessie - 9/1
United are in need of adding a new midfielder to their ranks and they could find themselves saving a small fortune if they were to turn to AC Milan star Kessie.
That is because they could sign him on a free transfer to solve their midfield headache.
The all-round, tough-tackling midfielder is out-of-contract at the Serie A giants next summer and is yet to sign a new deal, meaning he would be free to discuss a move to Old Trafford as soon as next month, should he not put pen to paper on a new deal at the San Siro by then.
Also, United could swoop for him in January and sign him there and then for a cut-price fee, which would no doubt suit Milan better than losing him for nothing a few months later.
Formerly of Atalanta, Kessie joined Milan, initially on loan, back in 2017 and has since gone from strength-to-strength, becoming one of the best defensive-midfielders in Europe. Capable of proving protection to the back-four and producing a pleasing-on-the-eye pass, Kessie is also not afraid to venture forward.
Declan Rice - 7/1
Rice is a concrete target of United's and the club has already discussed the framework for how they could construct a deal to bring the England international to Old Trafford.
Therefore, it is no surprise to see the West Ham United star being linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams by the bookmakers.
Rice has gone from strength-to-strength at the London Stadium in the past two years or so and is considered as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, particularly as far as his role is concerned.
United have identified Rice as a top target, but he is likely to cost a humungous fee, meaning it could be impossible for United to get a deal over the line in January.
Chelsea, the club that Rice started his career at, are also considered as being amongst the candidates for his signature.
Adama Traore - 18/1
Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Traore has often been linked with a move away from Molineux in recent years, with no shortage of clubs having been desperate to sample the speed that he is capable of, opposed to coming up against it.
Signed from Middlesbrough in 2018, the Spaniard has gone from strength-to-strength in several areas of his game, including in his attacking output in the final third.
However, the winger, this season, has not scored a single goal or claimed an assist, meaning clubs may not be tracking him with as such fondness as they have been in recent years.
Nevertheless, he has crept onto the betting charts and being linked with a move to United, although the odds are at a lengthy 18/1.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 20/1
Although Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to score the goals at the top end of the pitch, United do continue to be linked with moves for several strikers, including Calvert-Lewin.
Fresh from scoring 21 goals in 39 appearances last season, the England international started this season in red-hot form, scoring three goals in Everton's opening three Premier League matches. However, a fractured toe has since sidelined him and robbed Everton of their biggest goal threat.
Nevertheless, at the age of 24, Calvert-Lewin has got plenty of time to make up for the time he has missed, with his overall form over the last year-and-a-half making impressive reading.
United have already earmarked Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland as their number one target to bolster their forward options, but Calvert-Lewin has continued to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
Like in the situation concerning Rice, however, United are unlikely to splash out on a big-money move for him in January.
All odds courtesy of SkyBet and accurate as of December 12.
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