As we reported on Friday, based on an exclusive from The Express, Manchester United are looking to make Chelsea's Willian one of Jose Mourinho's next big signings at Old Trafford.

Mourinho is likely to be busy in January as he looks to make his first season as Man United boss a success. With competition fiercer than ever for those UEFA Champions League places. he could look to players he has previously worked with to give his side a much-needed boost.

Why waste time on new faces when you know who can do a job and who can't?

Mourinho has worked with some of the world's best players throughout his illustrious career, from Deco at Porto in the early 2000s right through to Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Of the players still featuring at the top level, which ones may tempt him to splash the cash?

Here are five players who've worked with Mourinho before we reckon Man United should target in January...

Fabinho

Football Soccer - Stade Rennes v AS Monaco -  French Ligue 1 - Roazhon Park stadium, Rennes, France - 24/04/2016. Stade Rennes' Kamil Grosicki (L) in action with Monaco's Fabinho. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe   
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Monaco's Fabinho only made one appearance in a Jose Mourinho side, playing for Real Madrid in a 6-2 thrashing of Malaga. Despite only featuring for 14 minutes, he assisted the 6th goal.

But it's his time at Monaco that is really attracting attention, especially recently, scoring 7 goals from 21 appearances in the heart of their midfield this campaign.

It'd take a large fee to prise him from Leonardo Jardim, however, with Monaco currently sitting second in the table and going for their first title win since 2000.

Raphael Varane

Football Soccer - France v Sweden -2018 World Cup Qualifying European Zone - Group A - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - 11/11/16. France's defender Raphael Varane celebrates his team's second goal. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Jose Mourinho signed Raphael Varane for Real Madrid on a six-year contract from RC Lens when the defender was still just a teenager. Since then he's grown into an accomplished defender - arguably one of the best in the business.

Still just 23 years old, an investment in Varane now would see Man United have an elite player for the next 10 years.

The Frenchman is never far from being mooted as a transfer target for the Premier League's top clubs and although he's been at the forefront of Zinedine Zidane's first team plans this season, a move to England might appeal - having already won everything there is to win at the Bernabeu, including two Champions League titles, despite his tender age.

Karim Benzema

Football Soccer - Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao

Manchester United aren't exactly wanting for a striker right now. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 9 goals this season already, after all.

But as good as Zlatan has been, he doesn't offer a long-term solution for Mourinho's attack. The Man United boss didn't sign Benzema for Real Madrid but he certainly utilised his talents well.

The French attacker still hasn't bested the tally of 32 goals in a single season that he set in the 2011/12 campaign under Mourinho's guidance.

Despite being around for what feels like forever, Benzema is still only 28 years old and scarily enough potentially has his best days ahead of him.

Sergio Ramos

Football Soccer - Spain Training - World Cup 2018 Qualifiers - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - 8/10/16. Spain's Sergio Ramos and Diego Costa take part in a training session. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

It would take quite the offer to attract Real Madrid veteran Sergio Ramos to Manchester United but at 30 years of age, perhaps he'd be keen to take on a new challenge after winning every trophy going with Los Blancos and the Spanish national team.

And if Mourinho is truly looking to bring the Manchester United defence to a new level, he could certainly do a lot worse than Ramos.

Manchester United need born winners and with 15 major honours to his name for club and country, this titan defender is certainly that. Furthermore, his ability on the ball would add something a little different to United's defence.

Nemanja Matic

Britain Football Soccer - Chelsea v West Ham United - Premier League - Stamford Bridge - 15/8/16
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrates with Nemanja Matic at the end of the match
Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien
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It was Mourinho who brought Matic home to Chelsea in 2013 and inspired his game to new levels after a spell at Benfica saw him emerge as a classy midfielder.

Manchester United's midfield is arguably still not up to par, certainly not compared to eras in the past. It's also ageing and some fresh blood in the middle of the park could really add a new dimension to Mourinho's side, allowing Paul Pogba more licence going forward.

He's another player that has plenty of experience but with enough years ahead of him to make a transfer in the tens of millions workable.