Close-up: Adnan Januzaj

- I came here to do something and focus on my football, was Adnan Januzaj's statement to Adam Marshall in the last-month interview on ManUtd.com. And the 18-year-old Belgian of Kosovarian descent has certainly kept his mind on the right track, progression beyond Paul McGuinnes' U18 side and turning into a key player Warren Joyce' U21s this season. Here is a closer look at the United starlet who arrived from Anderlecht back in 2011.


 

by @Nicopoleides

 
 
It has been an all right couple of weeks passing by for Januzaj recently. He has been handed the No. 44 shirt for the first team contributed to the U21s 3-0 battering of Liverpool in the U21 semi final at Old Trafford and been awarded the Denzel Haroun Reserve Player of the Year. The latter is an impressive achievement in particular, as this is the first season at U21 for the promising floating midfielder.


In terms of attributes on the pitch, the Brussels-born offensive force does fancy an attacking-minded approach, always looking to take players on. Regardless of whether the defender is 20 kilgrams heavier, 20 centimeters taller or 4-5 years older, Januzaj is always looking for a way past him. The main powers of his are a smooth, soft movement on the ball, seemingly flying a couple of inches above the floor, like a ghost. There have been more than a pocketful of U21 defenders struggling to cope, and hopefully there are many more to come. Additionally he possesses great vision of the game and a sublime ability to pick out accurate passes. Hopefully he'll be able to deliver consistent supply to Will Keane throughout next season, when the English youth international returns from injury.


While mentioning Keane's absence, it has had major impact on Januzaj's role in the U21s this season. As Federico Macheda and Angelo Henriquez have been on loan at Stuttgart and Wigan respectively, and Keane has been ruled out due to injury, Warren Joyce has had the impressive amount of zero - 0 - strikers at his hands. In other words Januzaj has been playing as a false nine, floating around the pitch, with no exact poacher up-front. The U21 rookie has done well, yet there is no doubt he would benefit of having a striker in front of him, like James Wilson whilst at U18 level. The lack of a natural goalscorer has obviously made its numerical mark, as there have been a decent amount of pressure but lack of clear-cut chances and goals coming from United's second best side. Januzaj is a key figure here, as his approach is playmaking. Neither was he signed mainly because of his finishing abilities.


When it comes down to weaknesses, the teenager has certain limits in terms of physical presence. The gym is waiting for him, as he needs to add some muscles. Currently he's simply too skinny for Premier League football. However the likes of David Silva, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla have proved looking like a bodybuilder isn't the only ticket to enter the Prem, Januzaj has to hit the weights on a regular basis for some years before David Moyes will eventually include him as a fringe player.


 Whilst Norwich snatched the FA Youth Cup after beating Chelsea 4-2 over the two-legged final, Manchester United crashed out at the first possible opportunity. The Red Devils suffered what José Mourinho would've labelled "an ice-hockey result" at Old Trafford in December, as Burnley edged it with a 4-3 with. Sir Alex Ferguson entered the dressing-room after the game, and unleashed his well-known hair-dryer towards the youngsters. Adnan Januzaj, who delivered a disappointing show against the Clarets was reportedly the main target of Fergie's guns. Not exactly the first time the old Scot has tested the mentality of a young player to see if he's got what it takes. But Januzaj's performances after the incident in December indicates that he has been able to use the experience in a constructive way, hence his progression from the U18s to the U21 level. That's certainly at least one cognitive arrow pointing in the right direction.


Hitherto the 2012/13 campaign has turned out very well for the Belgian, yet there are even more challenges up for grabs before the summer break. There is a slight possibility of a bench slot in the 38th and final game of the Premier League season against West Bromwich, and even he might get subbed on in the dying minutes? Nonetheless, he's almost certain of a starting spot in the U21 Premier League final Monday night against Tottenham. The Spurs have denied United the top spot of both the phase 1 and 2 of the group stages, and Januzaj & co would probably fancy a revenge in the final game of the season.