Sport
WHY JANUZAJ LOAN IS GOOD FOR ALL PARTIES
With José Mourinho firmly instated as Manchester United’s manager, his clear out has begun. On the list of players currently moving away from Old Trafford was Adnan Januzaj, the 21-year-old that rose to fame under David Moyes’s sorry tenure. Why Januzaj loan is good for all parties:
Since breaking into the first team three years ago, Januzaj has had a troubled time in cementing his position down. He inhabited the iconic number 11 shirt, previously worn by club legend Ryan Giggs, but so far, has not even come close producing the fancy footwork or important match winners the Welshman once did.
With the Belgian international now on a season-long loan to Sunderland, it should, in theory, benefit all parties involved.
Manchester United can offload a player they seem surplus to requirements for this season, but not make the same mistake with Paul Pogba. Selling Januzaj would be daft considering the talent is there in abundance, he just needs guiding. Therefore loaning for a full season, not a couple of months like Louis van Gaal did at Borussia Dortmund where he got minimal game time, is paramount.
Sunderland receive a player that has something unpredictable: something that can’t be taught and is only through intuition. Januzaj is a very off-the-cuff footballer, and can turn things around for your side in a matter of moments. One feint past a defender is all it takes and you could be watching something special. Moyes has previously worked with Januzaj and understands how to utilise him – the two of them should carry on that successful partnership and help the Black Cats avoid relegation.
For Januzaj himself, he gets game time – something he’s been longing for. Any young player will tell you they want to play 20+ matches per-season. It’s not a case of José Mourinho doesn’t like him, it’s the fact that in the Premier League era of instant success, the Portuguese manager has to do what’s best to survive and make sure he enjoys a successful first season.
The hope will be for Januzaj to blossom while under Moyes’s wing and at Sunderland. There’s no doubt that the capabilities of a top player is there, it’s just about making sure he’s not wasting his career. He’s not considered the youngest of players anymore–considering Marcus Rashford’s three years his junior–so needs to think long and hard about his career as a footballer.
It’ll be interesting to see how Januzaj gets on this season, but if all goes to plan, he’ll come back to Manchester a more experienced and work-driven young man.
