He is a fantastic player. He is not 18 – he is 25. He is so mature and comfortable. A very good and important player. I just think he is a very good player with the great conditions to have a great long-term career. I don’t know the boy individually, but it looks like he has the lot.”
THAT WAS JOSE MOURINHO discussing Adnan Januzaj in January 2014, prior to his then-Chelsea side beating Manchester United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
That day, the teenage Belgian was one of the few bright sparks in a lacklustre United side struggling with the hangover of Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and the traumatic transition under David Moyes.
Januzaj was a standout performer during that campaign – a flickering beacon of hope for the club’s supporters. But ever since, he’s struggled to replicate the energy, consistency and return of those early days.
On his first senior start in October 2013, he scored twice to bring United a much-needed victory away to Sunderland.
“He’s a wonderful player and someone we think an awful lot of”, Moyes said afterwards.
Mike Egerton
Mike Egerton
“He can do most things and he can play in lots of different positions. I gave Wayne Rooney his debut at Everton and Ross Barkley too – he’s certainly in their category”.
His form was so eye-catching that Roy Hodgson confirmed he was keen on bringing Januzaj into the England setup. He finished the season with four goals and three assists and, being a waif-like winger, comparisons with Ryan Giggs were inevitable. Still, they didn’t seem outlandish.
Januzaj certainly wasn’t as quick as Giggs but he had a deftness, a fleet of foot and thought that echoed Mourinho’s comments about him seeming so mature for his age.
And yet, the last number of seasons have drifted by. The fanfare that greeted his arrival on the big stage has long quietened and while he was treated with kid gloves after bursting on the scene, he’s been faced with a steady string of criticism in recent years – from a variety of sources.
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He suffered through ‘second season syndrome’ when Louis van Gaal arrived as manager while there was increased competition for a starting place due to the capture of Angel di Maria. It was also clear that van Gaal didn’t fancy Januzaj as a winger – his build and lack of explosiveness possibly counting against him. He started just seven league games and, naturally, failed to build any sort of momentum.
As rumours mounted of a loan move elsewhere, van Gaal was impressed with Januzaj’s performances in pre-season and handed him a start and a central role in the second league game of the 2015/2016 season at Villa Park. He scored the only goal of the game and many anticipated he was set for a prolonged run in the first-team. But van Gaal hinted after the game that he remained unconvinced by Januzaj’s overall contribution, particularly his ability to keep hold of the ball.
Nick Potts
Nick Potts
“He scored a wonderful goal but there is more than scoring a goal”, van Gaal said.
There are many aspects you have to show when you’re playing for Manchester United. He has to show more. He had a lot of ball losses and because of that we didn’t create much”.
He featured three more times for the club that month but van Gaal had seen enough and sent him on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
“I have said to Januzaj that I will give him opportunities in the position of nine and maybe of 10,” van Gaal said at the time.
“I have done that and then decided that, no, it would be better for him to go to another environment, maybe he will play more with them than me and we can see if he develops himself”.
But Dortmund proved a mis-step for all concerned. If Januzaj wished to make a point, he fell short. He made a dozen appearances but failed to break into the first-team and was restricted to cameos from the bench. His time in the Bundesliga was brief and forgettable and Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel pinpointed exactly why that was once he returned to Manchester.
Friso Gentsch
Friso Gentsch
“A part of him was always still in Manchester and we just couldn’t help him cut this umbilical cord”, Tuchel said.
“He didn’t wholly embrace Borussia. He always compared everything with how it had been at United”.
When Mourinho took over at Old Trafford at the start of this season, he still fell short of allowing Januzaj the chance to impress, despite heaping praise on him.
The compromise was another loan spell, but with a top-flight team so United could keep a close eye on his development. So, Januzaj was reunited with Moyes at Sunderland.
And though there have been some flashes of excellence – particularly in a 1-0 win over Watford in December, it’s been another underwhelming reincarnation for the 22-year-old.
Richard Sellers
Richard Sellers
It’s led to Moyes – in a similar way to van Gaal and Tuchel before him – asking for more from the midfielder. Januzaj has also had to put up with being jeered by his own supporters and, like in the Dortmund example, many are wondering if he’s fully committed to the Black Cats’ battle against the drop.
With Manchester United the guests at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, Mourinho was asked about Januzaj’s future at his Friday press-conference. He admitted to having made his decision but declined to reveal what it was.
Upon sanctioning Januzaj’s temporary switch last August, Mourinho was adamant it wasn’t a death knell.
“He fits in my plans”, he said.
“That is why he is on loan at a Premier League club. If he doesn’t fit in my plans, I don’t care where he is going. I just send him to Borussia Dortmund where he didn’t play one match. He is talented but in the same squad as [Anthony] Martial, Memphis Depay, Ashley Young.
Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
“It would mean not many matches. We cannot be selfish. We have to think about the player and in this case, Adnan, and give him all the conditions to play well. We see him every week in this country, we can compare performances. He is in the right place with a manager who likes him a lot. Hopefully everything goes all right because we want him back.”
Considering his issues with Luke Shaw’s ‘commitment’ and going by Januzaj’s history, Mourinho may have to backtrack. With another summer of major recruitment ahead, will the Belgian have a better chance of getting in the United side next term? It’s distinctly unlikely.
And if he does move away, he’ll join a steady list of incredibly gifted young players who burned out and faded away at Old Trafford.
The fanfare and Giggs comparisons are long gone as Adnan Januzaj walks a well-worn path
THAT WAS JOSE MOURINHO discussing Adnan Januzaj in January 2014, prior to his then-Chelsea side beating Manchester United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
That day, the teenage Belgian was one of the few bright sparks in a lacklustre United side struggling with the hangover of Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and the traumatic transition under David Moyes.
Januzaj was a standout performer during that campaign – a flickering beacon of hope for the club’s supporters. But ever since, he’s struggled to replicate the energy, consistency and return of those early days.
On his first senior start in October 2013, he scored twice to bring United a much-needed victory away to Sunderland.
“He’s a wonderful player and someone we think an awful lot of”, Moyes said afterwards.
“He can do most things and he can play in lots of different positions. I gave Wayne Rooney his debut at Everton and Ross Barkley too – he’s certainly in their category”.
His form was so eye-catching that Roy Hodgson confirmed he was keen on bringing Januzaj into the England setup. He finished the season with four goals and three assists and, being a waif-like winger, comparisons with Ryan Giggs were inevitable. Still, they didn’t seem outlandish.
Januzaj certainly wasn’t as quick as Giggs but he had a deftness, a fleet of foot and thought that echoed Mourinho’s comments about him seeming so mature for his age.
And yet, the last number of seasons have drifted by. The fanfare that greeted his arrival on the big stage has long quietened and while he was treated with kid gloves after bursting on the scene, he’s been faced with a steady string of criticism in recent years – from a variety of sources.
He suffered through ‘second season syndrome’ when Louis van Gaal arrived as manager while there was increased competition for a starting place due to the capture of Angel di Maria. It was also clear that van Gaal didn’t fancy Januzaj as a winger – his build and lack of explosiveness possibly counting against him. He started just seven league games and, naturally, failed to build any sort of momentum.
As rumours mounted of a loan move elsewhere, van Gaal was impressed with Januzaj’s performances in pre-season and handed him a start and a central role in the second league game of the 2015/2016 season at Villa Park. He scored the only goal of the game and many anticipated he was set for a prolonged run in the first-team. But van Gaal hinted after the game that he remained unconvinced by Januzaj’s overall contribution, particularly his ability to keep hold of the ball.
“He scored a wonderful goal but there is more than scoring a goal”, van Gaal said.
He featured three more times for the club that month but van Gaal had seen enough and sent him on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
“I have said to Januzaj that I will give him opportunities in the position of nine and maybe of 10,” van Gaal said at the time.
“I have done that and then decided that, no, it would be better for him to go to another environment, maybe he will play more with them than me and we can see if he develops himself”.
But Dortmund proved a mis-step for all concerned. If Januzaj wished to make a point, he fell short. He made a dozen appearances but failed to break into the first-team and was restricted to cameos from the bench. His time in the Bundesliga was brief and forgettable and Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel pinpointed exactly why that was once he returned to Manchester.
“A part of him was always still in Manchester and we just couldn’t help him cut this umbilical cord”, Tuchel said.
“He didn’t wholly embrace Borussia. He always compared everything with how it had been at United”.
When Mourinho took over at Old Trafford at the start of this season, he still fell short of allowing Januzaj the chance to impress, despite heaping praise on him.
The compromise was another loan spell, but with a top-flight team so United could keep a close eye on his development. So, Januzaj was reunited with Moyes at Sunderland.
And though there have been some flashes of excellence – particularly in a 1-0 win over Watford in December, it’s been another underwhelming reincarnation for the 22-year-old.
It’s led to Moyes – in a similar way to van Gaal and Tuchel before him – asking for more from the midfielder. Januzaj has also had to put up with being jeered by his own supporters and, like in the Dortmund example, many are wondering if he’s fully committed to the Black Cats’ battle against the drop.
With Manchester United the guests at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, Mourinho was asked about Januzaj’s future at his Friday press-conference. He admitted to having made his decision but declined to reveal what it was.
Upon sanctioning Januzaj’s temporary switch last August, Mourinho was adamant it wasn’t a death knell.
“He fits in my plans”, he said.
“That is why he is on loan at a Premier League club. If he doesn’t fit in my plans, I don’t care where he is going. I just send him to Borussia Dortmund where he didn’t play one match. He is talented but in the same squad as [Anthony] Martial, Memphis Depay, Ashley Young.
“It would mean not many matches. We cannot be selfish. We have to think about the player and in this case, Adnan, and give him all the conditions to play well. We see him every week in this country, we can compare performances. He is in the right place with a manager who likes him a lot. Hopefully everything goes all right because we want him back.”
Considering his issues with Luke Shaw’s ‘commitment’ and going by Januzaj’s history, Mourinho may have to backtrack. With another summer of major recruitment ahead, will the Belgian have a better chance of getting in the United side next term? It’s distinctly unlikely.
And if he does move away, he’ll join a steady list of incredibly gifted young players who burned out and faded away at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw’s struggle a microcosm of relentless changes at Man United over last two years
Set to be the jewel in Man United’s future 3 years ago, Adnan Januzaj now wants to leave
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