Staff charged with searching for potential targets are admitting within footballing circles the feedback they get is that players simply won’t consider a move in the current climate.
Jose Mourinho swerved an opportunity to build bridges with his squad on Monday by insisting some players do not care enough.
It is a development that could leave any plans manager Jose Mourinho may have for a January shake-up dead in the water.
For a club where money for transfer fees and wages is seldom an issue, this has become an unexpected hurdle to recruitment.
The conclusion being reached is that news of the unrest at the club is being spread by United players contacting their friends across Europe.
Damaging stories from inside the camp are being circulated via private social media networks.
One anonymous member of staff even suggested that players far and wide are being told the atmosphere is “toxic”.
Alexis Sanchez is the latest to have an issue with combative manager Mourinho after the Chile international took umbrage at being made to travel to London for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham, only for him to sit in the stands when he was not named in the 18-man squad for the game.
Paul Pogba was again substituted after his chilly glare for his manager in training had been picked up on Sky cameras.
Although Anthony Martial was given a rare start after a row over paternity leave earlier in the season, Mourinho sniped at his lack of defensive work by citing it as the reason why he had to field an extra defender.
Earlier in the week, Mourinho had intimated he did not trust Phil Jones or Eric Bailly in a penalty-shoot-out after the Carabao Cup defeat to Derby.
Moreover, there has been a long-running unease about the treatment of Luke Shaw as he has made his way back from long-term injury.
At all of his clubs, form has dipped in Mourinho’s third season, and at Chelsea he only made it to December before parting company.
Zinedine Zidane continues to lurk in the wings, out of work since quitting Real Madrid at the end of last summer.
But there are no guarantees the Frenchman wants to go to Old Trafford either.
At all of his clubs, form has dipped in Mourinho’s third season, and at Chelsea he only made it to December before parting company.
Zinedine Zidane continues to lurk in the wings, out of work since quitting Real Madrid at the end of last summer.
But there are no guarantees the Frenchman wants to go to Old Trafford either.
Mourinho suggested on Monday the two had spoken recently and in the past the Glazers have been reluctant to swing the axe when things were not working under David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal.
But this development will throw further doubt over Mourinho’s ability to turn things around when then transfer window opens.