Manchester United are plotting a shock move for Manchester City outcast Yaya Toure, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com (via Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror).

The Ivory Coast international has been out of favour at the Etihad Stadium since Pep Guardiola took charge in summer and could leave the club in January.

And Manchester United could well be the club waiting with open arms to bring him into their ranks.

Calciomercato reported that manager Jose Mourinho would be happy to land Toure on a short-term deal, although first-team chances would also be few and far between at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba is finally starting to come into his own in the heart of midfield, while Mourinho has plenty of options to line up alongside the world’s most expensive player.

Toure could come in to give the Frenchman a break for the likes of a Thursday evening Europa League clash, but his probable high wage demands would likely mean it's not worth it.

The 33-year-old has under a year remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium, which Mark Ogden, then of the Daily Telegraph, reported to be worth around £200,000 per week.

Even a club of United’s resources can’t justify parting with that much cash every week for a bit-part player, which means Yaya’s future is likely to lie away from England.

Juventus and Inter Milan have also been linked with Toure, while clubs in China are reportedly in the hunt for his signature.

Elsewhere, United’s neighbours City are plotting to swoop in and steal AS Monaco right-back Fabinho from under their nose, per Claire Bloomfield of the Sun.

The Red Devils have been after the Brazilian for some time and came close to landing him in the summer, yet as they were unable to offload Matteo Darmian, the deal fell through.

Now, though, they face stiff competition from their rivals and could enter into a bidding war. Fabinho recently signed a new five-year deal with the Ligue 1 side, which likely means he’d cost a pretty penny in January.

United are at something of a crossroads this season. While they have a manager capable of delivering trophies, tweaks still need to be made to the squad.

If Mourinho can bring in players worthy of the famous red shirt in January, they'd have the foundation to launch a title bid.