When Sir Alex Ferguson named a young Adnan Januzaj on the bench for his last match in charge of Manchester United, it was a parting gift for his successor, David Moyes.
The 18 year old Kosovo born starlet has been one of the few shining lights for United this season and the way his team mates look for him, when short of ideas, indicate that he has a very mature head which belies his youthful years.
When the Red Devils were chasing the game against West Brom at Old Trafford in September, Januzaj was the only United player who showed the confidence to take on his man and have a shot at goal. This fact becomes even more startling when you consider that both Rooney and van Persie were still on the pitch.
All of this bravado would have felt misplaced if Januzaj did not have an end product but his two goals to help United turn around their match against Sunderland proves that young Januzaj knows where the back of the net is. His first goal spoke about his composure as it would have been easier to blast the ball over the goal but he arrived late in the box, a la Paul Scholes, and stroked the ball home. The second goal meanwhile was all about his beautiful balance and technique as he twisted his body like a Russian ballerina and struck the volley with pace and precision.
David Moyes deserves credit for Januzajai??i??s development
Moyes has never been afraid to try out a promising youngster at the highest level and the United board would have considered this as one of the most important traits for a manager when deciding on Sir Alexai??i??s successor.
David Moyes has certainly not disappointed in that respect as he has played young Adnan knowing that while he may have the talent to play at the highest level but he definitely lacks experience. Moyes also showed his tact in not publicly criticizing the Brussels born youngster when his dallying on the ball led to West Bromai??i??s opener.
The new Manchester United manager should also be given credit for giving Januzaj the license to roam across the front line when it would have been easier to instruct him to stick to his designated position. Moyes would know that in the coming months and years he would have to ask Januzaj to contribute more defensively but he realizes it’s not the time just yet.
Case for a more Central Role
What would have pleased the United faithful even more than Januzajai??i??s cameos on the wings must be his ability to dictate the tempo of the match. The Kosovan does this by shifting centrally from either wing and it is a trait he shares with United wingers of yore and it is something which the club needs right now.
Moyes would have realized one thing over the course of his short reign as manager, that there is no one in Unitedai??i??s team who can connect the midfield to the attack. It is this fact more than any other which is ultimately hurting United and blunting the effectiveness of Rooney, who has to come deep to gather the ball from Carrick and carry it forward.
In the modern 4-4-2 it becomes imperative that the two central midfielders are one, not alike, and two, can bring about speedy transitions from defence to attack. So if United are to use this formation then they need someone creative alongside Carrick and while Januzaj may not have the passing skills to perform this role now, but in a couple of years he could well be the answer to the midfield problems of the Red Devils.
The Challenges ahead
Steve Round, the United assistant manager has said that he sees Januzaj playing all across the front line for United as a No.7, 10, 9 and 11. While such confidence in the 18 year old is certainly merited, care will have to be taken so as to manage expectations. There will come a time in the distant future when he will hit a trough and how he is managed then will be a true reflection of the United backroom staff.
There is also the complicated situation regarding his nationality and one feels that the longer that goes on the messier it is going to get. It would be better for all parties concerned if Januzaj chooses the country he is going to represent and douse this potential forest fire.
But the biggest challenge facing Moyes would be to pick the youngster even if he makes a couple of mistakes. One must remember that Cristiano Ronaldo was a source of much frustration during the first half of his stay in Manchester. It was only because of those mistakes that Ronaldo developed the mentality to take the right decisions. Januzaj must also be given the time and space to find his feet and explore the full depth and breadth of his talent.
Manchester United have a prospective star with them but the way he is handled by those around him will have a big impact on whether his potential is realized.
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