Having fixed the back-line, Solskjaer now wants to strengthen his midfield and is looking to bring in two new central midfielders when the window reopens.
While Brazilian midfielder Fred has thrived recently – particularly alongside Scott McTominay – United are lacking depth there, something that will be even more exposed if Paul Pogba leaves the club.
Andreas Pereira has racked up 15 Premier League appearances this season, while Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have both been used in advanced midfield roles.
United have previously been linked with Leicester City star James Maddison and teenage Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who has shone in Ligue 1 this season, though there is a recognition that January is a very difficult time to do business.
As well as wanting two midfielders, Solskjaer is also looking to bring in a third player – a striker – having been left short up front following the summer exits of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
Fellow Norwegian Erling Haaland, who has been prolific for Red Bull Salzburg this season, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and is on the club’s radar – with his father, former player Alf-Inge, even spotted at Carrington.
Speaking about United’s transfer plans at the end of last month, Solskjaer said: ‘It is not about X amount of money we have to spend. It is about who do we think will be good for the club in the long-term, not just three or four months.
‘The targets we have are probably not available in January. Not many clubs want to sell players that they would otherwise want to keep in January. Maybe one or two could be a loan deal but that is not a big money thing, it is just to help the team.’
