Jose To Buy In January?

Manchester United made a huge statement in the summer when they broke the world transfer record to re-sign Paul Pogba for £89m.

On top of that historic move, they spent a further £30m on Eric Bailly and £26.3m on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined the club on a free.

However, despite the high-profile arrivals at Old Trafford, United have made an indifferent start to the season.

Jose Mourinho's men lost three consecutive games in September, including a derby defeat to Manchester City, before being held at home by Stoke in their last outing.

Even at this early stage of the season, United may already have their sights set on bolstering their squad with signings in January.

Here, thanks to Football Whispers' unique algorithm, we assess four potential Manchester United transfer targets...

Jose Fonte
Club: Southampton
Position: Centre-back
Source: A Bola
Current Football Whispers Rating: 1.9/ 5.0
Highest Football Whispers Rating: 4.6/5.0 (August 16, 2016)

United's quest for defensive solidity saw them bring in Bailly from Villarreal over the summer, though doubts remains over the quality of their other existing central defensive options. While the Ivorian's combination of pace, power and aggression has seen him settle quickly to life in the Premier League, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have both been tried out in the other centre-back berth.

Portugal international Fonte has frequently been linked to team up with compatriot Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, and he could well provide the necessary experience to partner up with Bailly, who is still only 22 years old.

Fonte, 32, joined Southampton in 2010 for a just £1.2m and helped the club to two back-to-back promotions before establishing himself as a sound Premier League defender. Partnering the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Toby Alderweireld and Dejan Lovren, Fonte ensured the south coast club survived and then thrived in English football's top tier.

While he may not be a long-term option, Fonte knows the league and has the ability to marshal the back line with his commanding presence, traits that could be ideal for a United side in need of added stability.

Sergio Ramos
Club: Real Madrid
Position: Central back
Source: Marca
Current Football Whispers Rating: 1.0/5.0
Highest Football Whispers Rating: 4.3/5.0 (April 23, 2016)

If United want a centre-back with greater pedigree than Fonte, there are few more appropriate candidates than Real Madrid captain Ramos. At 30 years old he is younger than the Southampton man and, crucially, he has achieved substantially more throughout an accomplished career.

With three La Liga, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Rey titles to his name, Ramos has been an integral member of Real's defence for the past 11 years.

Fonte was part of Portugal's Euro 2016 winning squad but Ramos has enjoyed sustained success on the international stage, winning two European Championships and the World Cup with Spain.

Ramos is comfortable in possession, a trait that comes from his origins as a right-back. However, he has always had issues with his discipline. Indeed, last season he was Real Madrid's worst offender, picking up seven yellow cards and two reds in just 23 league outings.

With that said, having signed a five-year deal in August 2015, a move to Manchester looks unlikely for Ramos, as reflected in the Football Whispers ranking.

Danny Drinkwater
Club: Leicester City
Position: Central midfielder
Source: The Metro
Current Football Whispers Rating: 1.2/ 5.0
Highest Football Whispers Rating: 2.8/5.0 (August 23, 2016)

Alongside N'Golo Kante, Manchester United academy product Drinkwater was the heartbeat of Leicester's incredible Premier League triumph last season. Now with three England caps to his name, he could be on the radar of his old club as they look to reinforce their midfield.

United need a stable base in the middle of the park to allow Pogba free reign further forward, and, despite a number of encouraging performances, current options Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini do not appear able to provide this. A more defence-minded midfielder, Drinkwater's endless stamina reserves and exceptional work ethic could complement the Frenchman well.

Antoine Griezmann
Club: Atletico Madrid
Position: Forward
Source: ESPN
Current Football Whispers Rating: 1.4/5.0
Highest Football Whispers Rating: 3.5/5.0 (May 5, 2016)

With six goals in as many La Liga games this season, Griezmann looks set to continue his outstanding 2015/16 form which yielded 32 goals for Atleti in 52 games and also saw him net six times for France at Euro 2016.

Fast, versatile and intelligent, his movement and precise finishing make him one of the most scintillating forwards in world football.

While his quality would not go a miss, it is difficult to see Griezmann as a priority signing when United already have similar players in the likes of Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata.

This, and Griezmann's desire to remain at the Vicente Calderon, perhaps explains why Football Whispers' algorithm does not envisaged the Frenchman moving to Old Trafford anytime soon.

Credit: Skysports.com