Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists the club already have a ‘plan’ for the January transfer window.
The Norwegian was appointed on an interim basis and is expected to take an advisory role in discussions about transfer targets given he is – at this stage at least – leaving at the end of the season.
Jose Mourinho wanted to add a centre-back and a right winger to his squad before being sacked and the club are likely to retain many of the targets that the Portuguese identified.
Solskjaer insists he’s happy with the players at his disposal and says the club will consult him over any transfer targets.
‘The club’s probably had a plan,’ said Solskjaer. ‘You don’t just plan the next day and next month, I’m sure they’ve got plans, but this transfer window has probably been planned since the summer and the year before.
‘The structure is phenomenal, so I’m sure they’ve got their targets, I’m here to voice my opinion on that and I’m sure we’ll sit down, me and Ed, if they’ve got anything in the pipeline. ‘I’m here to work with the ones I’ve got, they’ve all performed and as long as they perform they should get a chance but that’s my job to improve players and individuals.’
Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly is a long-term target for the club, while Mourinho was keen on Juventus winger Douglas Costa. Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku will both start for United in their FA Cup third round clash against Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Paul Pogba is a doubt after picking up a knock following Jonjo Shelvey’s nasty tackle on him in the closing stages of the club’s 2-0 win against Newcastle on Wednesday.