The Journal: "The interest is no more than tentative at the moment and he is on a long list of players being considered by Hughton.
"But Hughton admitted yesterday morning that he has enquired about several Bolton players – and The Journal understands O’Brien and Samuel are two of them he would take if their valuation fit into United’s tight transfer budget.
"O’Brien has another year left on his deal and would happily stay and fight it out for a first-team place at Bolton. But if Wanderers were happy to let him leave for a minimal fee, or even pay up his deal, the Harrogate-born defender would welcome a return to St James’ Park."