Man Utd planned Kieran Trippier move before his 10-week ban

United had discussed the chances of signing Trippier this month

Manchester United were reportedly preparing to launch a bid to sign Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier in the January transfer window - only for his 10-week ban for betting offences to scupper any potential move. According to The Athletic, United are interested in signing an alternative right-sided full-back during this window to provide Aaron Wan-Bissaka with competition and to offer more attacking threat. Trippier is said to have been top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's list, with a deal even being discussed internally. However, the FA's decision to issue the player with a 10-week ban for breaching betting regulations has all but ended any chances of the move happening - despite the fact this has now been suspended after Fifa intervention. The Bury-born England international was a product of Manchester City's youth academy but left the club for Burnley. He later moved to Tottenham in 2015 before making a switch to Atletico Madrid in 2019. United believed the opportunity to return to the north-west would have appealed to the player, but the same report claims meeting the Spanish club's £20m asking fee may have proved problematic. Chances of United reprising their interest in Trippier this month appear slim, but with 18 months remaining on his contract at Atleti, a move to Old Trafford may be more viable in the summer window. United play their first FA Cup game of the season this weekend, welcoming Watford to Old Trafford for the third-round tie. After that, they return to league action at Burnley, where they will replace Liverpool at the top should they avoid defeat.