Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace this evening looking for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since August.

Jose Mourinho’s side beat Tottenham 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to end a run of four home league games without a win, and they’ll be full of confidence ahead of their game at Selhurst Park tonight.

The Red Devils know that a win could put them level on points with Mauricio Pochettino’s side in fifth as they attempt to keep pace with the sides challenging for the title and the top four.

United’s win on Sunday was their first in the league since they beat Swansea 3-1 back on November 6, having drawn the three intervening games 1-1 against Arsenal, West Ham, and Everton.

This ability to kill teams off and see games out is the reason they are 13 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea and six behind fourth place Manchester City, but the victory over Spurs is a sign that they may well be beginning to find a way to win once again.

However, their sluggish run of form since August has got many talking about who Mourinho could look to sign in January and, with the African Cup of Nations taking place in January, he may keep an eye on some of Africa’s most talented stars.

Thus, here are TWO AFCON players United should watch out for next month…

Yacine Brahimi

Yacini Brahimi helped inspire Porto to a 5-0 thrashing of Premier League champions Leicester last week, netting the third in their comprehensive win over the Foxes.

The Algerian international continued his excellent from with another goal at the weekend in their 4-0 league victory over Feirense, taking his tally to three goals in his last five games.

Brahimi netted 21 times in his first two seasons at Porto, and his fine start to this campaign has alerted several top European clubs, one of which is Manchester United.

The 2014 BBC African Player of the Year likes to take defenders on and has excellent close control of the ball, and would certainly give Jose Mourinho another option down the flanks should he beat the likes of Arsenal, West Ham, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid to the 26-year-old’s signature.

Keita Balde

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhNe_MJMDo0

21-year-old Keita Balde has already made over 100 appearances for Lazio since his debut back in 2013, and he’s beginning to develop into a quality forward.

The Senegalese international has netted four goals in 14 Serie A games for the Italian side this season, and laid on two other assists.

Keita can play either up top or out wide, and has scored from every position he has played in so far this season, demonstrating his seamless ability to adapt to each role.

He hasn’t netted in four appearances for Lazio, and subsequently lost his place in the starting eleven against Sampdoria on Saturday, but he’s clearly got talent, and could be useful to several Premier League sides.

Another quick, young forward could seriously benefit United over the coming years.