Manchester United are believed to be considering the idea of selling striker Javier Hernandez in order to fund a potential deal for Porto attacker James Rodriguez.

The Colombia international has been consistently linked with a possible move to Manchester United and has started the season in superb fashion.

James Rodriguez
Rodriguez celebrates after scoring in the 1-0 win over PSG in the Champions League [Reuters]

Rodriguez scored a stunning goal in the Champions League last week as a swerving left-foot shot could not be stopped by Paris Saint-Germain keeper Salvatore Sirigu.

A report in Portuguese publication A Bola suggests that Manchester United are keen to complete a deal for the winger and could even make an offer to Porto during the January transfer window.

The article suggests that United would also be willing to sell Hernandez in order to bring in some extra funds.

Hernandez has struggled to hold down a place in the Manchester United first team since moving to the club and despite initially impressing, has fallen down the pecking order after the arrival of Robin van Persie.

Last season it was Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck that kept the Mexico international out of the starting line-up, while this year he now finds himself fourth choice.

The 24-year-old, also known as Chicharito, has started just one league games this season and may struggle to convince manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he deserves a starting role ahead of the other forwards at the club.

A Bola believes that Hernandez will be used to raise funds so that Manchester United can finally land Rodriguez, who was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer.

The 21-year-old was signed from Banfield in Argentina back in the summer of 2010 for a fee of €5.1million and has since gone on to become one of the stars players at Porto.

Last season he scored 12 league goals and has been repeatedly compared to Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo because of his speed and trickery on the ball.