Manchester United great George Best could play just about anywhere and there are already shades of the Northern Irishman in Adnan Januzaj after the Belgian teenager was again on song in last night’s 4-0 defeat of Norwich City.
Januzaj and Mexican Javier Hernandez, who put United on the scoresheet midway through the first half before adding his second shortly after the break, combined delightfully for David Moyes’ team, who stretched their unbeaten run to six.
Defenders Phil Jones and Fabio scored late on to complete the one-sided match at Old Trafford which left assistant boss Steve Round in awe of Januzaj’s versatility.
“We see him as a no.7, 10 or 11. He can play any of those three,” Round told United’s website.
“And if you ask our reserves coach (Warren Joyce), who had him last season, he’d say he felt his best position was no.9. He played there for the Reserves. So any of the top four positions he is capable of playing in.”
The 18-year-old’s arrival in the first team and dazzling displays of skill so far this season have left many fans hopeful of the future, though Round was quick to underline Januzaj is still very much a work in progress.
“For a young player like Adnan, we’re trying to give him as much experience as we possibly can and develop him in numerous different positions and give him different ideas and thoughts about the way he should be playing.”
Fellow teenager Wilfried Zaha, who has not featured for United since the Community Shield in August, also impressed Round and the Old Trafford faithful.
Zaha was replaced in the 78th minute due to fatigue but Round said the £15 million summer signing will take a lot from Tuesday’s game.
“I was really pleased for Wilf to get a start and play so well…this will have done his confidence the world of good and he’s gone out there and experienced what it’s like to win at Old Trafford.”
United joined Chelsea, Leicester City, West Ham United and Stoke City in the League Cup quarter-finals with two more fourth-round fixtures this evening, including Manchester City’s trip to Newcastle United.
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
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