Manchester United made just one signing in January: Crystal Palace’s winger-cum-striker Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast-born player, who cost £17m and has re-joined the Eagles on loan until the end of the season, will join up with the Red Devils’ squad next summer where he will fill a void that has become an increasing problem.

Sir Alex Ferguson has collected hordes of quality wingers during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford, from Ryan Giggs and David Beckham to a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, but his current collection of wide-men is arguably the weakest in his time at the club.

Ashley Young has struggled for form and fitness this season, Antonio Valencia has looked out of sorts (and appears unable to graduate from useful squad member/tactical weapon to first choice right midfielder) and Nani is a virtual outcast.

Between them, the three have registered just one league goal – an ultimately inconsequential strike by Nani in United’s 3-2 loss against Tottenham – while, in all competitions, none of the trio has recorded more than four assists.

Valencia (1.2) has averaged more accurate crosses per game than Young (1.1) or Nani (0.9), but still falls someway short of the Premier League’s leading crosser, Nicky Shorey (3.1). The Ecuadorian is also Manchester United’s most successful dribbler, beating an opposition player 27 times this year, though that is considerably less than Luis Suarez, who has completed 70 successful dribbles.

As such, Sir Alex has regularly fielded Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck on the flanks in recent weeks, which has deprived the Red Devils of width and congested the centre of the pitch.

But Zaha is a genuine winger. He possesses great pace, quick feet and, at least in the Championship, an unrivalled ability to beat an opposition full-back in one-on-one situations.

The 20-year-old will hug the touchline and stretch the play in a way that Welbeck and Kagawa simply can’t, and provide the vivacious, tricky wing-play that has all but evaporated from United’s game.