Manchester United find themselves sixth in the Premier League heading into the final 12 games of the season.

Jose Mourinho’s men have been in that position ever since their 3-1 victory away at Swansea on November 6, but they have closed the gap on fourth place Liverpool to just three points after an unbeaten run which stretches back to their 4-0 defeat at league leaders Chelsea on October 23.

Since then, the Red Devils have won nine times in the league to give themselves an opportunity of returning to the Champions League next season, although they could also do that by winning the Europa League, of which they are currently in the last 16.

Mourinho’s men have also won the League Cup this season, beating Southampton 3-2 in a thrilling final at Wembley last month, and they head to Stamford Bridge on Monday night for an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Antonio Conte’s Blues.

All in all, it could turn out to be a fine debut season at Old Trafford for Mourinho, but speculation is already building about who the Portuguese may look to sign ahead of next season.

And one name that has cropped up is Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos, with the German World Cup winner reportedly ready to quit the Bernabeu if Zinedine Zidane’s men do not win any trophies this term.

That news will certainly interest United and Mourinho, as this is what the Red Devils midfield could look like if they get a deal done for Kroos in the summer…

Ander Herrera

Arguably Manchester United’s Player of the Season far, Ander Herrera has improved dramatically to now be one of the most reliable midfielders at the club, and indeed in the Premier League.

The Spanish international moved to Old Trafford back in 2014 and was a regular feature under Louis van Gaal, yet he didn’t start this season in the team under Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese struggling to nail down his preferred central midfield partnership.

However, a stunning display away at Liverpool in October paved the way for Herrera to become the first choice central midfielder at the club, and he has since then produced impressive performance after impressive performance to help United win the League Cup, and get back into the top four race.

The 27-year-old is very adept defensively and also carries an attacking threat – he looks set to dominate the United midfield for many years to come.

Paul Pogba

United fans will still want more from Paul Pogba, especially in the big games, but it’s clear that he’s finding his feet in English football as the season wears on.

The French international returned to Old Trafford last summer for £89 million, and has scored four goals and laid on three assists in 25 Premier League appearances thus far.

And while they aren’t great numbers for the world’s most expensive player, his performances have been impressive, especially in the more advanced role where he can affect the play more.

Pogba’s efforts against Liverpool back in January demonstrated that he can be a liability in the defensive aspects of the game, and it’s also in those sorts of games that Mourinho will hope that the 23-year-old can make more of an impact in the future.

Nonetheless, the Frenchman is certainly improving as the season goes on, and it’s surely just a matter of time before he adds more goals and assists to his game.

Toni Kroos

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos will reportedly consider leaving the Spanish giants if they do not win a trophy this season, which will be music to the ears of United fans hoping to see the club find a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick.

The former England international will turn 36 in July yet he is still a crucial member of the squad at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils often a better side when he is controlling the midfield.

However, Carrick has been substituted at half time three times in his last seven starts for Mourinho’s side to perhaps suggest that he’s starting to struggle, which makes it even more imperative that they find someone to fill the void.

And Madrid’s Kroos could be exactly the man they need.

The 27-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football, who has won almost everything the game has to offer including the World Cup, the Champions League, and several league titles.

No-one has laid on more assists in La Liga this term than the German, who would be an invaluable addition to a United side looking to challenge for the Premier League title next season.