Manchester United fans would have been hoping for more than just five Premier League wins at this stage of the season.

Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge at Old Trafford hasn’t quite hit the heights, with his side struggling for consistency in the early stages of the campaign.

Despite winning their first three league games under the Portuguese, United have won just two of their last nine matches, and haven’t won at Old Trafford in the league since September.

They’ll be looking to put that right against West Ham on Sunday, who they also meet at home in the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

Mourinho’s men will be going into tomorrow’s clash full of confidence following a 4-0 victory over Feyenoord on Thursday night, a result which puts them within touching distance of reaching the last 32 of the Europa League.

However, it’s the league that United fans so dearly want and, although they have been encouraged by improved performances from their side in recent weeks, they’ll hope to see more wins from their team in the next few games.

One area that Mourinho has struggled to get right is the central midfield department and, given that it is an integral area of the pitch in which several league games are won and lost, it’s an area he needs to settle upon.

Thus, here is the dream United midfield trio, including one key January target…

CDM – Michael Carrick

Remarkably, even at the age of 35, Manchester United are as reliant on Michael Carrick now as they were during his peak years at Old Trafford.

The former England international has proved his worth to the United side in the last few games, and there’s no coincidence that Mourinho’s side have had more control in the middle of the park when Carrick plays.

United have not lost a game in which Carrick has appeared this season, and although it remains to be seen how much longer he can sustain this level, Mourinho has got to get what he can out of him while he can still perform at an incredibly high level.

CM – Paul Pogba

There are signs that Paul Pogba is beginning to adapt to the English game, and he’s starting to show why United spent £89 million on him in the summer.

A fine strike against Swansea and then an excellent performance for France in their win over Sweden a few weeks back suggests that the 23-year-old is growing in confidence, and is finding his feet in the midfield role at Old Trafford.

Playing alongside Carrick seems to have given Pogba more composure and security to get forward and take players on, and that’s when he is at his best.

Playing him just in front of the Englishman would continue to give him that security, but would also encourage a more forward-thinking approach from the French international.

CM – Isco

And Pogba would team up alongside Isco just in front of Carrick in this United team.

The Spanish international has been linked with a move to England after finding game time hard to come by at Real Madrid, starting just six times in La Liga so far this season.

However, his spell on the bench at the Bernabeu doesn’t appear to have affected his quality, as he was instrumental in helping a Spain side, who were comfortably second-best against England for an hour, come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Wembley a fortnight ago.

Isco would be a fantastic signing for United as he can play with Pogba slightly further forward, or could slot in alongside Carrick in the more defensive role, both of which he has played and succeeded in before.

Either way, it could get the best out of Pogba, and indeed United’s other attacking options, should the 24-year-old make the move to Old Trafford.