Manchester United are ready to rule Cristiano Ronaldo out of their summer tour if the unsettled star is not available by the end of the week, but hope Christian Eriksen will join the squad in Australia.
Ronaldo has stayed in Portugal with his family after being given permission to miss the first leg of the tour to Bangkok, where United face Liverpool tomorrow.
The club move on to Melbourne and Perth on Wednesday, and accept there would be no point flying Ronaldo out if he is not ready to return by next week.
United are hopeful that Eriksen will sign as a free agent in time to join the tour in Australia after undergoing a more stringent medical due to the cardiac arrest he suffered last summer.
Negotiations are continuing over United’s No1 target Frenkie de Jong despite the complexities of his move from Barcelona and claims by the Dutchman that he wants to stay at the Nou Camp.
The two clubs have reached a broad agreement over a £55million deal but Barca still owe £17m in deferred wages to De Jong.
United will be hoping to complete transfers as soon as possible as they look to rebuild.
Fullback Tyrrell Malacia has already impressed United fans from training videos and the Eriksen news was greeted similarly, but the Red Devils are still lacking depth in several key positions.
It will take a few more big signings if United are to turn their fortunes around.