When Ryan Giggs‘ career was coming to an end, it seemed like Manchester United youth player Adnan Januzaj would take over the legendary winger’s gifted mantle.

Giggs would pass the torch to the young Belgian international and hand over the famous number eleven shirt at the start of last season.

But like many creative talents before him, Adnan seems to have fallen foul of ruthless Louis van Gaal’s managerial streak and now looks like an outsider looking in.

Quite literally in Januzaj’s cas,e as he was sent out on loan to Borussia Dortmund during the final day of the transfer window.

That move seems highly suspicious if you ask me.

When you look at United’s recent history with loaning players out, no one has come back to the club and won a regular place in the starting eleven. Anderson, Javier Hernandez, Tom Cleverly and Nani have all recently completed loan moves away and then sold off on their return.

So can Adnan Januzaj buck the trend?

It’s a tough one. The player seems to have limitless potential and during his initial season at Old Trafford he was wowing the crowds.

It has been reported that the loan deal does not include a clause which will allow the Bundesliga giants to make the move permanent. So that is a positive sign that he could still be wanted by the club.

People have speculated that the switch has been made to gain the youngster more valuable game time and then comeback next summer ready to kick-start his Man United career.

But the twenty year old has already made sixty first-team appearances for the Manchester club, not bad for a player of his age and in only two full seasons.

Adnan seemed to start well this season for Man Utd, scoring one in his two starts this term. It could be argued that he’s done more in those two Premier League matches than new boy Memphis Depay has so far in the English top flight.

Then you look at Man United’s current forward options.

They have just spent around £36m on Anthony Martial. The nineteen year old can play on the wing on occasion but looks more natural playing through the middle. I suppose you could play captain Wayne Rooney out on the right but is Martial ready for a full role in the starting line up?

Obviously Depay looks a certainty for the left-wing. Then you have Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia for the right, neither of which are entirely consistent performers plus they have histories on the treatment table. In last two seasons Ecuadorian Valencia has been seen more as a full-back by his club managers.

So it seems odd considering the forward positions aren’t full of obvious choices that Van Gaal would let Januzaj leave, even on the short term. The young player can also play in the hole as well as on both wings, that versatility is usually a huge plus for Louis van Gaal.

For me, it just seems that the Dutch boss just doesn’t rate Januzaj enough to keep him around the squad.

Even after his goalscoring appearance against Aston Villa in August, Van Gaal still found time to warn the Belgian about his all round game:

“He scored a wonderful goal, but all the other aspects of football you have to show. I’m pleased because with this goal we have won, but there is more than scoring a goal,”

Van Gaal doesn’t look to be a huge fan of natural wingers or players that provide endless amounts of tricks. They also need to work back… A lot!

To me, Adnan Januzaj seems to be the old fashioned kind of wingman that the Old Trafford crowd adore but Louis just can’t tolerate. At the moment he doesn’t do more in terms of keeping the ball or on his defensive game for his managers liking.

Will he learn that in Dortmund? I suppose that’s the big question. Time is certainly on his side.

Plus is Van Gaal going to be around for next season? 

I’d imagine so, but cracks are already appearing under his regime. There have been numerous player fall-outs, bizarre press rantings, a few disappointing results and an odd transfer strategy. Personally, I think 2016/17 could be his last season in charge of the ‘Red Devils’ unless he secures a league or Champions League title.

But that extra year could prove fatal in terms of Adnan Januzaj’s Manchester United career. I think loaning him out this season is a poor decision but hey what do I know?

Posted on September 6th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article