Jose Mourinho has overseen just five Premier League wins from Manchester United’s 12 league games so far, and United fans would have been hoping for better from the first three months.

The Red Devils won their first three league matches under the former Chelsea manager, but things have stuttered since their 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City at the start of September.

Losses at the hands of Watford and Chelsea have since taken place, with Leicester City and Swansea the only sides United have beaten in the league since August 27.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Nonetheless, improved performances in recent weeks, most notably in the 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on Saturday, have given United fans hope that Mourinho is the man to lead the club to their first league title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Whether that will be this season remains to be seen and, with United currently sixth in the table and already nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea, it’s going to be a tough ask to finish top of the pile this time around.

However, shrewd signings in January could give United the impetus going into the second half of the season, so here are TWO La Liga players Mourinho must try and snap up in January…

Jose Gimenez

Photo: Offside/Marca

21-year-old defender Jose Gimenez was an important part of the Atletico Madrid side that reached last season’s Champions League final and finished just three points behind La Liga champions Barcelona, but it’s not the same story this time around.

The Uruguayan international has made just two appearances for Diego Simeone’s side this season, the latest of which coming in their 1-0 over Deportivo back in September.

This is because Stefan Savic took his place in the Atletico back four against Real Madrid in last year’s Champions League, and has not put a foot wrong ever since.

Subsequently, alongside a niggling injury, Gimenez has been unable to break back into the side and, with his contract up at the end of next season, there’s likely to be interest in his services.

One side in need of defensive stability is Manchester United, and Gimenez has proven to be the top-quality centre-back United need.

It’s a deal they must get done in January.

Antoine Griezmann

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

United’s tally of 18 goals is significantly fewer than the sides currently in the top four, and their struggles going forward have seen them drop valuable points at home.

It was evident again on Saturday against Arsenal as, although Mourinho’s men were by far the better side, they only managed to score once which, ultimately, cost them all three points.

One way to solve that issue would be to bring in someone with undoubted quality in the final third, and someone who scored 32 goals last season in La Liga.

That someone is Antoine Griezmann, whose future remains in doubt after parting company with his agent in September, alongside the growing uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

Griezmann has spoken of his desire to play with United midfielder Paul Pogba in the future, and has been repeatedly linked with a move to England since his inspirational performances for France at the European Championships last summer.

Although it will cost a lot to bring him to Manchester, Mourinho should do all he can to get the 25-year-old to Old Trafford.