If David Moyes lets 18-year-old wonderkid Adnan Januzaj slip through his fingers and leave Old Trafford then it will represent a calamity worse than any failed transfer bid.
The youngster has seized his opportunities this season with no quarter given, putting on displays that have showcased an abundance of talents.
Following promising substitute appearances against Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, Januzaj made his first competitive senior start against Sunderland.
Two goals and a man-of-the-match award later, his manager should be in no doubt over whether his young charge deserves the first-team berth that both the player and agent believe should be his – as do most of the fans.
As is customary these days, last week saw Januzaj’s agent, Dirk De Vriese, claim that several big clubs were eyeing up his client, ready to pounce should the stalled contract negotiations – apparently due to the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson – stay that way.
“I’m not going to say which teams are interested in him, but I can tell you that there is interest from several European clubs,” De Vriese said, in a vague manner so typical of agents.
The usual drill would be to ignore the bites that the agent feeds to the media and focus on the player, making a stand against the now common practice of agents sounding off about how coveted their clients are in order to make clubs bow to their demands.
But with Januzaj, there is an exception.
There is no need to ponder the attributes of Manchester United’s most exciting player – simply watch the highlights of United’s game against Sunderland on Saturday for an idea, particularly Januzaj’s match-winning volley.
What is more pertinent is how Moyes failed to attract high-profile players this summer, despite protracted bids for names including Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara and Ander Herrera.
In Januzaj he is a player who will likely develop into a far superior player, yet only cost a paltry £297,000.
At the rate he is going, the former-Anderlecht player will be in the upper echelon of football by the time he is 23.
It is already clear that Moyes does not have any of the pulling power that Ferguson had, so when a potentially world-class player such as Januzaj falls into his lap, he must do everything in his power to keep him.
The Belgian rescued three points for United on Saturday, a performance that was preceded by his impressive previous showings as a substitute, and going on his side’s form will likely do the same again. It must be confounding for Moyes that supposed superstars Wayne Rooney – who he fought so hard to keep at Old Trafford – and Robin van Persie were so easily outshone by an 18-year-old.
Without getting into the kind of wages that Chelsea or Manchester City might offer, on this occasion Moyes must bow to the demands of player and agent.
Paying over the odds on Januzaj’s wages is not ideal, but when you take into account what United paid for him as a 16-year-old and compare it to what they would have shelled out for an established name of the same quality, it will save them money in the long-term, especially if they sell him aged 25 or so.
Luckily for Moyes, it appears that the handle of the issue is playing time.
Letting Januzaj slip through their fingers would not only be incompetent, but would also further the damage that the recent departures of other talented youngsters have done – Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison, to name a couple.
Tying Janusaj to a new contract will not only benefit Moyes financially but will also send a message to future prospects that United are committed to keeping hold of star players and giving youth a chance.
When push comes to shove the one thing that Moyes can offer Januzaj – apart from money – is the chance to become a United legend and ply his trade with the cream of the crop.
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube , with thanks
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