'Payet? He's a Manchester United-type player' - Schmeichel

Dimitri Payet is reported to be a January transfer target for Manchester United, and Old Trafford legend Peter Schmeichel believes a move for the West Ham forward would make sense.

The Red Devils have plenty of attacking talent within their ranks, but they have struggled to turn possession and chances into goals this season.

Those failings have been reflected in results, with three successive draws in top-flight competition leaving Jose Mourinho’s side sixth in the Premier League standings.

They have already slipped nine points adrift of the top four and 13 behind table-topping Chelsea.

Money is expected to be spent during the winter window in an effort to keep United in the hunt for Champions League football and Payet is said to be among those in Mourinho’s thoughts, with the France international having impressed with his creativity for the Hammers.

"He’s a Manchester United-type player, for sure,” United icon Schmeichel told Soccer AM.

"I think Mourinho has to change his way a little bit to please the fans, the club and the traditions of the club. I think he is showing signs of that, the players that he is signing, they are of a different calibre. 

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic is someone he probably wouldn’t have signed had he been at Chelsea, but he’s United’s kind of player, the kind the supporters like to see. He’s rewarding us with great skills and great goals – I think he has scored seven goals so far. 

"But Payet? Definitely if he can find the form he showed during the Euros".

Payet has netted only one Premier League goal this season, and four in total across all competitions for club and country.

He has, however, continued to be a key playmaking cog for West Ham, creating more chances in 2016 for his team-mates than any of his top-flight rivals.

It is that game-changing ability which continues to generate transfer talk ahead of the January window.

Reports in The Times have also suggested that Payet could be on the move next summer for as little as £15 million if the Hammers are relegated – with Slaven Bilc’s side currently perched just a point above the drop zone.