Timothy Fosu-Mensah joins Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal

But the Holland international, who previously spent spells on loan at Crystal Palace and Fulham, has not appeared since the 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig on December 8.

Fosu-Mensah has now signed a deal until 2024 at Leverkusen, who the PA news agency understands paid United in the region of 2million euros (£1.75million).

The defender's contract was expiring at Old Trafford this summer and Solskjaer last week made it clear the defender would be leaving the club soon enough.

"I'm not sure if Tim is going to stay or if he's going to take an option now," the United boss said.

"He's not played enough, so of course he's been allowed to speak to clubs with a view to leaving now in January.

"It's difficult when you've got good players, talented players, and you can't give them game time and he's now at the stage where he needs to go and play again.

"It might be end of January or it might be in the summer that he finds somewhere else.

"He's working hard, Tim, so he's ready for a move for any club that he feels ready for."