Man Utd Had 'Genius' Who Was Tipped to Become 'World Superstar' But Never Did
“As far as debuts go, I would be surprised if even the great players in United's past have shown such promise on day one,” said then-Manchester United manager David Moyes.
More than 12 years ago, on the afternoon of October 5, an under-pressure Moyes handed Adnan Januzaj his full Premier League debut in a clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Many eyebrows were raised when the 18-year-old was brought into the line-up, but after netting twice on his first league start, everyone was talking about this teenage talent from Belgium.
“It wasn't just the two goals, his whole game was outstanding," said Moyes in his post-match interview. "We know we've got a really special talent, but we'll keep his feet on the ground. He's going to be a top, top player.”
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Januzaj, a £297,000 signing from Anderlecht in 2011, came into the game with great expectations on his shoulders.
After being presented with the Denzil Haroun Player of the Year award for best reserve player in May 2013, the teenager was praised by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Adnan is a beautifully-balanced player," said the Scot, who promoted Januzaj to the first-team before leaving. “He’s only 18 and has to grow into his frame but he has good balance, good acceleration and is a very good technical player."
Januzaj was presented with the Player of the Year award by then-under-21 manager Warren Joyce and his assistant Nicky Butt, who was also a huge fan of Januzaj.
In fact, the former United midfielder was convinced he would become a "world superstar" after a promising start to his Old Trafford career.
Speaking to SPORTbible after filming an episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt was asked if there was an academy player who he was massively impressed by but never quite made it.
“The one I’d say is harsh, because he’s had a good career and is still playing top-level in Spain, but for me, it would be Adnan Januzaj," said Butt.
"People laugh at me for saying it, but he was a genius with the ball. Nobody could get the ball off him. He’s done well, but when he broke into the first-team I was convinced he would be a world superstar.”
What happened to Adnan Januzaj at Manchester United?
A few months after making his first Premier League start and Januzaj was handed Ryan Giggs's iconic number 11 shirt ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, a nod to his growing influence at United.
From receiving a nomination for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, to signing a new five-year deal in October 2013, which is said to have included a £5 million signing-on fee, it looked like he was destined for the top.
But the attacking midfielder failed to impress Louis van Gaal and was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
Speaking about his spell at United in 2021, Januazaj made his feelings clear. "All I needed was a coach to believe in me," he told the BBC.
"After Moyes left, it was difficult because I was not playing a lot. I was playing one game, then staying on the bench, then another game, then six on the bench.
"As a young boy who wanted to play it was difficult for me to stay on the bench and not show people how good I was."
He added: "I had those three coaches [reserve boss Warren Joyce, Sir Alex Ferguson and Moyes] giving me a lift to play for the club I love. Then those people came."
Januzaj was later loaned out to Sunderland during the 2016-17 season. He then made a permanent switch to Real Sociedad, where he spent five years before joining fellow La Liga side Sevilla in 2022
In the years following his sacking, Moyes was still full of praise for Januzaj.
"Along with Wayne Rooney, Adnan is the best young talent I've worked with as a manager,” he said.
"He's a wonderful player, gifted with great balance and the ability to go past people with ease. When I see his poise on the ball he has characteristics of Johan Cruyff."
Topics: Spotlight, Man Utd, Premier League, La Liga
Jack Kenmare