Manchester United players have jetted off for the dreaded September international break after a shaky start to the season.

While United’s form has been inconsistent, Luke Shaw has made an excellent start to the new campaign, and his impressive form was rightly rewarded with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad. Red Devils midfielder, Andreas Pereira, was also handed his first call-up to Brazil’s senior national team after breaking into the United starting eleven. There will be no international football for Alexis Sanchez who misses Chile’s fixtures in order to build his fitness.

Jose Mourinho enters the break as the bookies’ favourite to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job. United have beaten Leicester and Burnley but lost to both Brighton and Tottenham. Mourinho will look to bounce back against in-form Watford following the international period.

When the January transfer window reopens, Mourinho is expected to sign a new defender, and recent reports have linked United with Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez. Valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, the France international would be an inspired addition to the squad.

Hernandez has developed into a key player for Diego Simeone and made 28 appearances in La Liga last season – the majority coming at left-back. The youngster played in every game during France’s capture of the World Cup earlier this summer. Not only would the 22-year-old provide cover for Shaw on the left but he would give United a quality option in the centre of defence. Hernandez could follow in the footsteps of Cesar Azpilicueta and thrive in a central role after moving to the Premier League.

Hernandez has a £72m release clause in his contract at Atleti which the Red Devils would have no trouble meeting if necessary. This a move that Mourinho should definitely be considering.

Manchester United fans, thoughts?