Much has been made of the need for Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to sign a defender this January, but I think it’s the midfield that needs greater attention.

The Red Devils have been in brilliant form of late and one of the main factors behind this is the team’s well-balanced midfield, consisting of French star Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and the experienced Michael Carrick.

Mourinho flirted with a 4-2-3-1 formation early in the season with Pogba and Marouane Fellaini sitting deep, giving Juan Mata the freedom to play higher up the pitch.

This system didn’t yield good results for the club, though, as flamboyant Pogba, who should have been utilised in a more attacking zone due to his good dribbling ability and shot power, was rather lost given his defensive responsibilities.

Britain Football Soccer - Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League - Selhurst Park - 14/12/16 Manchester United's Paul Pogba celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representat

However, Mourinho seems to have finally found the right formula in midfield with Carrick sitting deep in, giving Herrera and Pogba the license to roam forward and do their thing.

The trio have complemented one another really well and there seems to be no problem in the engine room, but with a closer look at the midfield, it's clear that there is a lack of depth.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger might have been considered good back-ups for both Herrera and Carrick, but with the former expected to leave the club this January and uncertainty over the future of the latter, the only other option is the unreliable Fellaini.

Mourinho has shown so much trust and belief in the Belgian, who has had his own share of criticism from fans and the media, but he's too slow in possession, clumsy in tackling and simply unreliable. The drop in quality from any of Carrick, Herrera or Pogba to Fellaini is simply too huge.

It is, therefore, curious that Man United have been more heavily linked with a move for a central defender rather than a midfielder in the January transfer window. Victor Lindelof and more recently Jose Fonte have been aligned with the club, and it would be no shock to see one, or even both, join.

Man United duo Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have formed an unlikely partnership in defence and have both been impressive so far this season, so there is no desperate need to get a new man in.

It is true that they might not be the long-term options at centre-back for United but with Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Daley Blind available there is no need to panic, as there is enough strength in central defence.

With Man United challenging on four fronts - the Premier League, Europa League, EFL Cup and the FA Cup - they will most likely need another midfielder given Herrera, Pogba and Carrick can’t play every game.

For Manchester United to improve their chances of success this season, Mourinho should look to add a midfielder to the squad rather than a defender.

This article was submitted via our Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article by clicking here, and give yourself the chance of winning monthly cash prizes...

[ad_pod id='playwire' align='center']