Man Utd bold 'stance' on Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth detailed as Jadon Sancho talks 'advance'

Manchester United are set for a quieter month both on and off the pitch in January, with the fixture schedule easing and transfer plans minimal. Monday's FA Cup third round clash at wigan Athletic is one of just two confirmed games this month.

Erik ten Hag confirmed in his pre-game press conference on Thursday that United have extended the contracts of Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hanniabal Mejbri. And we've rounded up some of the other headlines surrounding the Reds.

Ashworth stance

United are 'prepared to pay what is required' to land key off-field targets amid ongoing links with Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, according to reports.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will take control of footballing operations once his investment into the club is fully ratified. He has already been joined by Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, while other major hires are expected in the coming months.

"INEOS really like Ashworth (who doesn't?!) and, as you say, Brailsford knows him well," David Ornstein told a Q&A for The Athletic. "But there has been no approach to Newcastle so far, to our knowledge. IF that happens, IF he wants to go and IF Newcastle are open to losing him, a negotiation will need to be had.

"I hear INEOS are prepared to pay what is required to get the people the view as their chosen candidates for certain key positions, so it will be really interesting to see what line-up they assemble in the coming months. The feeling in the industry is that they will probably appoint a sporting director and head of recruitment to work beneath Brailsford, Blanc and Ratcliffe."

Sancho progress

Talks between United and Borussia Dortmund are 'advanced' regarding a six-month loan for Jadon Sancho.

The 23-year-old looks set to rejoin his former club for the second-half of the season after being exiled from the first-team by Erik ten Hag. He accused his manager of lying about poor training performances in September and has not featured since.

Dortmund look set to take Sancho on loan and will pay a portion of his wages, plus a loan fee. The Bundesliga side head to Marbella for a mid-season training camp and Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that they hope to have their new signing with them there.