Manchester United owners the Glazers will only spend in January if "a deal presents itself" to the club, according to transfer expert Duncan Castles. United are linked with a host of players ahead of the opening of the winter window in just over a week's time. Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is reportedly one of a number of targets for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, it appears there is no guarantee Solskjaer will be given funds to spend next month.
Last January, United signed Bruno Fernandes who has become one of the club's best recruits of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
But Castles says the success of the Portuguese won't force United to bring in players mid-season again.
Castles said on the Transfer Window podcast: "Their stance has been: 'We will not necessarily do something in January, we know it's a difficult market to complete deals and a difficult market to bring players over and integrate'.
Man Utd transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will only be given funds if the right deal is available (Image: GETTY)
"[It's ironic] since they probably did one of the best January signings ever and quickest integrations in Bruno Fernandes, who essentially became the best player in the team inside a couple of weeks.
"But they're conscious that January is difficult to do these deals and they're saying the only way we will do something is if the deal presents itself at the right price in this window, otherwise we'll wait until the summer to act on the positions we need to further round out Solskjaer's team."
As well as potential incomings, a number of players are linked with moves away from United.
France international midfielder Paul Pogba continues to be a rumoured target of former club Juventus.
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Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba remains the club's record signing (Image: EXPRESS)
But Solskjaer says Pogba is fully focused on the job in hand at United and wants to win trophies with the club.
"There's always a demand at Man United to win trophies, and the more you win trophies, the more players are going to want to play for us," Solskjaer told ESPN.
"Then, there's a higher standard you've got to set yourself. It's a demand for the players; it's a challenge for the players that we want them to improve and get better and better.
"Paul has been here for a while, and of course he wants to win more trophies.