Manchester United have allegedly acknowledged that they are unlikely to be able to sign Leicester City midfielder James Maddison in January.

With funds available to spend during the January transfer window, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have identified the England international as one of his priority signings.

The 23-year-old, given his age and potential, is regarded as a natural fit at Old Trafford, while six goals and three assists have come from 20 outings in the Premier League this season.

However, despite their interest, Sky Sports News claims that United do not expect to push through a big-money deal at the midway point of the campaign.

While United are likely to make an official approach during the summer, there is seemingly an acceptance that Leicester will not sell one of their key men during the opening month of 2020.

United may have to pay in the region of £80m to sign the playmaker later this year.