Manchester United's season is an up and down one this term, with smatterings of being at their best being followed by some dismal displays.

Jose Mourinho's men appear to be light years behind their rivals in the top four, and it would take a miracle of sorts for the Red Devils to even make a half decent run at securing a Champions League spot given their form so far in opening few months of the season.

It's clear to us here at the Transfer Tavern that United need some new top end talent added to their squad, and with the January window just around the corner, we think that the club should be desperately trying to add some new central midfield players to the ranks, and midfield players who can come straight in and improve the first XI.

The likes of Paul Pogba are simply not doing it for United, and a club with the stature and history of the Red Devils should have no problem attracting new players if they do choose to splash come cash in the January window.

With that in mind, we've taken a look at TWO midfielders who Man United should be looking at going into the January window...

Thiago Alcantara

The Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder is well up there with the best in the world in the middle of the park, and he'd be a superb capture for the Red Devils.

Thiago has long been admired by coaches and managers around Europe, with Pep Guardiola a massive fan of the classy Munich maestro.

United need world class talent in the middle of the park, and Thiago fits the description. If they could indeed convince the Spaniard to move to Old Trafford, they would have quite the player on their hands, and crucially, a difference maker in the midfield.

Marco Verratti

Soccer Football - Coupe de la Ligue Final - Paris St Germain vs AS Monaco - Matmut Atlantique Stadium, Bordeaux, France - March 31, 2018 Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti gestures REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

The PSG midfield ace is a quality operator and someone who at first glance would appear to be ideally suited to life in the Premier League.

Tough tackling and tenacious but equally as good in possession, Verratti is a class act, and at 25, would have even more time to develop into a truly world class talent at Old Trafford.

Snapping up one of Europe's top midfielders like Verratti would be a huge boost to United, who are desperate for quality in the middle of the park.