Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj is set to be used in a more central role this season, according to manager Louis Van Gaal.
The Red Devils are short in numbers up front, and have failed to recruit the striker’s that they had wanted so far this summer. The 20-year-old winger was deployed as a striker by Van Gaal in the 3-1 win over FC Barcelona in last week’s pre-season friendly, where he scored a goal in the 91st minute.
Januzaj has a lot of quality and against FC Barcelona he showed it – Louis Van Gaal
Manchester United are short in numbers up-front with the departure of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. Van Persie was sold to Turkish side Fenerbahce, while Falcao’s loan was not extended by the club. Following the completion of his loan at Old Trafford, the Colombian was loaned by Chelsea FC from his parent club AS Monaco.
This leaves Louis Van Gaal with captain Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez as the only two recognized senior strikers currently at his disposal. Chicharito recently returned from Real Madrid following a season-long loan, and Van Gaal insists that the Mexican would be part of his plans this season.
Speaking in his new conference in California, the Dutch manager said that Janujaz has a lot of qualities, and he showed it against the European champions:
“I have given him a chance in this position and you have to look if he can do that or not. But he has a lot of quality and against Barcelona he showed it for the first time.
“He was very good and was a threat as a striker in his 30 minutes. He always gives an option for midfielder and defenders, he scored a wonderful goal and that is always important.
“He always fought with two defenders, but he did well, although it was easier for him against the defence when [Barcelona centre-back] Gerard Pique was substituted.”
Manchester United failed in their pursuit of Thomas Muller
Manchester United had previously been linked with Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, with the club having allegedly submitted a a 100 million bid for the transfer of his services. However, the Bavarians are adamant not to let go of their star striker having already lost Bastian Schweinsteiger to the Red Devils. The Old Trafford outfit have also been linked with Zlatan Ibrahimovic . and Karim Benzema over the course of the summer, but nothing has concrete materialized yet.
Adnan Januzaj has spent most of his time at the club as a winger, however, he endured a difficult last season and started only 7 games. The Belgian international has been deployed as a striker as well as a N0. 10 at lower levels, and is set to be the understudy of Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United captain.