Man Utd news: Adnan Januzaj set for central role
Louis van Gaal has been impressed with the Belgian's application in pre-season after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign
Louis van Gaal is to hand Adnan Januzaj a central attacking role at Manchester United this season in a final attempt to re-ignite the Belgian youngster’s Old Trafford career.
Januzaj, 20, is facing a decisive campaign at United after struggling to impress Van Gaal during the Dutchman’s first year as manager last season.
Concerns over the winger’s attitude and focus have been aired privately by sources at the club, with the Brussels-born player exasperating members of the coaching staff with his inability to build on an impressive debut season in 2013-14.
Having been rewarded with a five-year contract in October 2013 to fend off interest from Paris Saint-Germain – United’s International Champions Cup opponents in Chicago on Wednesday – Januzaj ended his first campaign under David Moyes as one of the brightest young talents in the game, but he quickly became a peripheral figure under Van Gaal.
Januzaj struggled to find his best form last season
After making 35 appearances under Moyes, Januzaj played just 21 times under Van Gaal last season, starting just eight games in all competitions.
United have resisted attempts by Everton to sign Januzaj on loan, however and Van Gaal has now told the player that he believes he can help bolster the squad’s attacking options this season.
“I have given him a chance in this position and you have to look if he can do that or not,” Van Gaal said. “But he has a lot of quality and against Barcelona (in Santa Clara on Saturday) he showed it for the first time.”
Januzaj has impressed Van Gaal this summer by joining Luke Shaw on a holiday in Dubai which involved the pair taking a member of United’s coaching staff to work on their fitness.
Both players have displayed the benefits of their training regime during the tour of the United States and Januzaj has admitted the Dubai trip was influenced by his and Shaw’s struggles last season.
"We decided to do it because this season we have to do better than last season," Januzaj said. "Last season, I didn't have many games but this year I have to be fit and get as many games as I can.
Luke Shaw has also played well during United's tour of the USA
"It was our own decision because I wanted to work hard and achieve something this season. I think it has helped already as I feel I am getting stronger.”
Van Gaal, meanwhile, has backed Shaw to enjoy a fruitful second season at Old Trafford after missing the European U-21 Championships to work on his fitness.
Shaw, 20, made just twenty appearances in all competitions following his £28m arrival from Southampton, with injury and fitness issues checking his progress, but Van Gaal insists he is now ready to perform at United.
“Luke Shaw is also a big talent,” Van Gaal said. “He’s very young, so it’s not so easy for him to come from Southampton to as big a club as Manchester United.
“But he has the benefit that he’s an Englishman and I think that this shall be the season of Luke Shaw.
Pedro is expected to join United once Angel di Maria leaves
“I believe in him and he has to feel that and I hope he shall show it.
“But he’s 20-years-old. How many players of that age are playing in the Premier League?”
United, who fly back to England following Wednesday’s clash against PSG, are expected to complete a £22m move for Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez once Van Gaal signs the deal off.
Pedro, 28, has told friends that he is set to move to Old Trafford and an outline agreement is already in place, with United prepared to trigger the player’s £22m escape clause.
But Van Gaal is keen for a resolution in talks between United and PSG over Angel di Maria before sanctioning a deal for the Spain international.
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