Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has already warned his teammates to beware of the "very special" Romeo Lavia on Sunday when his side host Southampton.
United welcome the Saints to Old Trafford looking to build on Thursday's 4-1 Europa League last-16 first-leg win over Real Betis. And while Erik ten Hag will likely spend plenty of his preparation analysing James Ward-Prowse's free-kicks, the Dutchman's eye will inevitably have been drawn to his midfield partner.
Signed from Manchester City for an initial £10.5million at the start of the summer, Lavia's impact at St Mary's has been instant and impressive. Such was the youngster's stellar start to life on the south coast, Chelsea reportedly tabled a deadline day offer worth £50m.
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A goal against them just days before may well have influenced the Chelsea hierarchy. That goal against the London club, a thunderous finish from the edge of the box, saw plenty of plaudits flood in from former City teammates - one of which was Sancho, who posted an old picture of the pair with Lavia holding up a Borussia Dortmund shirt with 'Sancho 7' on the back.
The United winger's message read: “You stayed with your dream and you believed in yourself. That is inspiring to see. Keep doing your thing, brother. The world is at your feet. Very special player.”
Southampton come to Old Trafford fighting for their Premier League lives having already been through three managers this term. But that does not mean they won't come to M16 thinking they can get something, as proved by their recent win over Chelsea.
As has so often been the case in recent years, it was a Ward-Prowse free-kick that earned Southampton the win, but alongside him in midfield it was Lavia again who kept things ticking over, breaking up Chelsea possession and dictating the tempo of the game as if he were the experienced club captain.
The teenager really does have the world at his feet and Ten Hag's side have already been warned of his talents by one of their own. Sunday's clash is likely to be decided in midfield, but it is not just Ward-Prowse that United should be mindful of.
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