Adnan Januzaj looks to have played his last game for Manchester United as the Belgian has expressed a desire to leave the club having fallen even further down under new boss Jose Mourinho. Januzaj was a revelation under David Moyes during the 2013/14 season, however was never fancied by Louis van Gaal and spent time on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season – with minimal impact. The Belgian, who has been capped six times by his national team, has been linked with a move to Sunderland to hook up with Moyes once again, who has already acquired Paddy McNair and Donald Love – both surplus to requirements under Mourinho.
It has all gone very wrong for a player once billed by Moyes as having characteristics “similar to Cruyff” – although, many United fans would agree – but more Jordi than Johan.
Januzaj is said to be “humiliated” and “upset” with Mourinho’s decision to grant Anthony Martial the number 11 shirt and reallocate the Belgian number 15, whilst also making him train with the reserves. From the legendary wing wizard Ryan Giggs’ number to the curly haired Karel Poborsky forgotten shirt. It looks certain that the youngster will leave the club this summer, although some United fans are hoping it could be in the form of a loan deal – where he can, again, try to prove himself worthy of a first team spot at Old Trafford. His attitude has come into questions many times over the years, with the belief that the winger did indeed believe his own hype, rather than remain grounded and focus on cementing his place in the first team.
He made his debut for United in the 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the 2013 Community Shield and went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals. However, this was as good as it got as the Belgian made a paltry 28 appearances across the previous two seasons and only netted a single goal, against Aston Villa on the second fixture of the season. It is disappointing that the youngster hasn’t fulfilled that early exciting potential, despite criticism for simulation, and it is looking unlikely he will be able to showcase his talents at Old Trafford anymore. At 21, he still has bags of time but with the problems lying with attitude over ability – it is only the player himself that can make that change.
Leave a Reply