West Ham United crashed out of the League Cup on Wednesday following a disappointing 4-1 defeat at Manchester United in the quarter-finals.

Slaven Bilic’s side drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, but were unable to back that up with a positive result as braces from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Anthony Martial condemned the Hammers faithful with a long trip back to East London.

Defeat was their third in their last five games in all competitions, and it has increased the pressure on under-fire boss Bilic ahead of their tricky home game against Arsenal in the league on Saturday.

The Hammers are 16th in the Premier League having won just three of their opening 13 games, although important victories over Crystal Palace and Sunderland in October had suggested that an upturn in form was imminent.

However, despite looking better defensively in a back three, West Ham haven’t won any of their last four league games, albeit they were tough fixtures, and they face Arsenal and Liverpool in their next two.

And, with the Hammers struggling near the wrong end of the Premier League table, Bilic may be thinking about who he can bring in during the January window to get West Ham back up the table.

Thus, here are the THREE star signings that top West Ham’s Christmas list…

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas is clearly out of favour at Chelsea, and seemingly on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the near future.

The Spanish international was an integral part of the Blues’ title-winning side in 2014/15, but was one of several Chelsea players who struggled last time out, and he hasn’t been given much of a chance under new boss Antonio Conte.

The 29-year-old has started just once in the Premier League this season, and that 55-minute appearance against Arsenal on September 24 was the last time he played for the Blues.

A player of his quality is not going to be happy with a bit-part role this season, and is likely going to move on in January should interest be rife.

West Ham have been linked with a move for Fabregas, as have Juventus and AC Milan, and Bilic should do all he can to bring the talented midfielder to the London Stadium.

Daniel Sturridge

West Ham have been struggling for goals this season, and only Diafra Sakho, who has been ruled out with injury for six weeks, has netted in the Premier League so far.

Thus, more firepower and clinical forwards are needed to drag West Ham away from the bottom three, and one man who could do that is Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.

The England striker has made just four Premier League starts for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, and has yet to net in the league this time around.

However, the 27-year-old scored twice in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Tottenham in the League Cup in October, and has looked sharp leading the line for England this year, netting in the wins over Malta and Scotland.

Several clubs have been linked with Sturridge, but if West Ham can get a deal done in January, then the Hammers will begin to move away from the bottom three.

Mario Mandzukic

A transfer target that has gathered momentum in recent weeks, could Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic be heading for the Premier League?

The Croatian international only moved to the Serie A champions in the summer last year, but finds himself down the pecking order behind £75 million man Gonzalo Higuain and young starlet Paulo Dybala.

The 30-year-old has made 11 starts this season for Juve, netting four times, and has led the line in their last few games, including in their 3-1 win at Sevilla in the Champions League last week.

However, with Dybala set to return from injury shortly, Mandzukic could find himself back on the bench and, for a player of his quality, it would be wasted there.

With Tottenham also linked with the former Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid forward, Bilic could face a fight to get him to East London, but it would be a real coup if he could do so.