Manchester United could solve three clear problems by signing Southampton wildcard

"Southampton have the best free-kick taker I have ever seen - or at least in the world right now."

For a man who worked with and helped shape Lionel Messi on his record-breaking journey to immortality, there could have been no higher praise from Pep Guardiola as he lauded Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse during his latest trip to St Mary's last month.

Guardiola did not stop there, either.

"He's so good that maybe you miss a little bit of the football player. He's a team player with great quality, without the ball and with the ball. He really understands the game but it's his free-kicks, set-pieces and corners that people pay more attention to."

With that glowing assessment, Manchester United might have been offered a solution to three glaring problems by the very manager who has helped to draw attention to them upon his relentless quest for perfection (and trophies) at neighbours Manchester City. Who would have thought it?

United are in desperate need of an upgrade in the engine room.

Virtually everyone in the game can see it and, finally, that appears to be the number one priority for key figures in the boardroom as they turn their attentions to next season. Declan Rice would be the ideal for many, but that does come with complications, financially and competition from other potential suitors.

Other names have been mooted. Too many to keep up with.

Indeed, had supporters started a midfield-themed bingo game at Old Trafford and beyond, those playing will have called out 'full house' countless times already. A high percentage of them are paper talk, of course, while the player who is eventually recruited could, conceivably, even come from left-field.

Step in Ward-Prowse.

Depending on where Paul Pogba is playing