It has not been the start to the season, and indeed the new era under Jose Mourinho, that Manchester United fans would have been hoping for.

The Red Devils drew 0-0 at home to Burnley on Saturday, a result which saw them slip to eighth in the Premier League, and extend their winless league run to four matches.

Since winning their first three league games, United have won just one of their last seven matches, which was a comprehensive 4-1 win over champions Leicester City.

However, their recent run of poor form means they find themselves eight points behind joint-leaders Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, and seven points behind fourth place Chelsea, whom they lost 4-0 to last weekend.

Unsurprisingly, speculation has been building about who Mourinho may look to sign in the January transfer window, in a bid to improve his squad ready for an improved second half to the season.

Thus, here are THREE midfielders he could look to bring in when the window reopens in the New Year…

Isco

With numerous Premier League clubs monitoring Isco’s current situation at Real Madrid, a January move for the Spaniard is likely to happen.

The 24-year-old hasn’t featured regularly for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season and, although he has started their last four league matches, he has only finished two of them.

With it looking likely that he will not sign a new deal at the Bernabeu, a whole host of Premier League sides, including United, Arsenal, and Tottenham, may look to strike a January deal for the young midfielder.

He would certainly strengthen all three of those sides but, with United’s struggles to find a consistency in the centre of midfield, Mourinho may need Isco to bring control and attacking flair to his flailing United side.

Yaya Toure

A proven Premier League midfielder whose Manchester City career looks to be over, could neighbours United launch an audacious bid for Yaya Toure?

There was talk of a move for the Ivorian international in the latter stages of the summer window, but no deal materialised.

However, with Toure seemingly not any closer to appearing for City and his contract up in the summer, many sides may look to sign him up on a pre-contract agreement in January.

United should be one of those sides, as the 33-year-old would bolster the midfield options at Old Trafford.

Although he can sometimes be ill-disciplined in the more defensive role, he can still do an effective job, and could even be used further forward if Paul Pogba’s form doesn’t improve.

James Rodriguez

Another player who could be set to leave Real Madrid, James Rodriguez should be a transfer target for Mourinho.

The 25-year-old has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth at the Bernabeu this season, with his last La Liga appearance coming in the middle of September.

Consequently, the Colombian international, who shot to fame after impressive performances for his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, may decide that his future lies away from the Spanish capital.

With Chelsea also rumoured to want Rodriguez, it is up to United to act fastest to secure the Colombian’s signature.

Real Madrid’s transfer embargo until January 2018 could scupper any deal, but Mourinho should attempt to get his man in January regardless.