Manchester United have struggled this season. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are seventh in the Premier League, nine points behind the Champions League qualification spots. 

The international break is a good time to re-assess options and it seems the club is ready to spend big to get back to the top. 

According to ESPN, an eight-man shortlist of long-term transfer targets has been drawn up and United are hoping to land a couple of big names as soon as January. 

RB Salzburg's Erling Haaland and Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho are reportedly 'key targets' while Leicester's James Maddison and West Ham's Declan Rice are also on the list. 

Bournemouth's Callum Wilson, alongside Aston Villa duo John McGinn and Jack Grealish, are also named, suggesting Solskjaer is clearly looking for Premier League experience. 

The final name on the shortlist is Lyon forward Moussa Dembele.

ESPN goes on to report that United are willing to spend in January, but only if these long-term targets are available.  

ANALYSIS
GIVEMESPORT'S Ollie Browning says:

These reports should certainly excite Man United fans. Not only are there some huge names on this shortlist, but it also represents a clear shift in transfer strategy.

Every single player is aged 27 or under and it seems Solskjaer is looking to build a team that can compete for years to come - he's not just looking for short-term fixes.

Just imagine if United sign even two or three of their targets. The likes of Sancho, Haaland and Maddison would instantly transform the team into a real force. 

No doubt, this is a better transfer strategy than signing someone like Mario Mandzukic in January, who is already 33-years-old. 

Although that move continues to be mooted, Solskjaer's eight-man shortlist will give supporters hope heading into the new year.