He'll come on if we smash the shitter teams by a few. i hope.
Adnan Januzaj
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Wouldn't a season long loan spell be the best option and the "making" of him, a-la Wilshere? I know loans haven't really been that great to our youngsters of late, but I'd hate it for him to be part of the squad but only get a minute here or there etc.
As mentioned above, it's difficult seeing him get minutes when he's essentially competing against Kagawa, Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Young, Zaha, Giggs for 3 spots. Debatably you could even add Danny in there.
As mentioned above, it's difficult seeing him get minutes when he's essentially competing against Kagawa, Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Young, Zaha, Giggs for 3 spots. Debatably you could even add Danny in there.
I wouldn't loan him out, besides which he doesn't want to go on loan. He'll get a better experience if he's part of our match squad and train with our first team. I wouldn't be playing him in the bigger matches or in away games to start with him, ease him in at home and see how he handles the step up.
What is his contract situation? Please tell me he is locked down.
His contract is up at the end of the season, and he doesn't seem in any hurry to renew.
I think he's biding his time. If he gets first team opportunities, he'll sign. If not, he'll just run down his contract and go. Pogba set an unfortunate precedent.
He said he wants to renew and this is the club of his dreams.
I remember him saying he wanted to make it at United, but can't recall that kind of language. He's a Belgian-Albanian who's been here two years.
Actions speak louder that words. The player saying what will keep him in the good books of his coaches is one thing, what his father/agent say, and, more importantly, do, is another. His talent is recognized by the club, and I can't believe they've been dilatory in offering a new deal, particularly with the chastening experience of Pogba in recent memory, but nothing has happened.
In the Pogba thread, I remember saying he was shaping up to run down his contract and leave in the summer, when everyone else was convinced it was only a matter of time before he renewed. Fans tend to allow their own emotions to influence them in these matters, and project them onto players who may think very differently.
His people, if not he himself, will probably make a cold-blooded decision based on his financial and football best interests. He's good enough to play top level football. Why should he thread water at United, playing for the reserves, going on loan, sitting on the bench, travelling but not playing etc.?
It's not impossible that he holds United in genuine affection and has a strong desire to play for us. And that may make the difference. But we'd be foolish to rely on it.
I have to disagree with you on almost every point you made there.
Fair enough. I hope you're right and I'm wrong.
agree with you will and hope the club sorts out his contract as soon as possible.
Have a good feeling about this kid. I think he has the talent to make it. I want us to get him on a long contract asap
I hope so to, I mean I personally think you're being a bit blind sighted by the Pogba situation which really is an anomaly if you think about it.
From everything I've seen and heard about Januzaj, his head seems to be screwed on and he seems determined to make it here.
I think Will's right. There's no point listening to player's words anymore, they'll all happily string along the coaches and fans if it's in their best interests. It's a sad world we live in when even a player saying "I want to stay" isn't enough, you need the action of them signing the contract to believe it.
As for Adnan, if he does choose to sign a new contract then I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him in the next few seasons. 12 months ago he was playing U18's, now he's the star of the senior's pre-season. It must be a great feeling to look back at the last year and all the hard work that's come with it and to see the rewards being reaped.
As for Adnan, if he does choose to sign a new contract then I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him in the next few seasons. 12 months ago he was playing U18's, now he's the star of the senior's pre-season. It must be a great feeling to look back at the last year and all the hard work that's come with it and to see the rewards being reaped.
It was only a couple of years ago that he turned down Barca to come here. Besides, one paper said a couple of months back that we'd renewed his deal. Maybe we just didn't make a big deal at the time.
Here's an interview of him on manutd.com about 3 weeks ago, not sure if I saw it posted here or not but seeing that a lot more people are taking an interest in him now, I may as well post it.
Exciting prospect Adnan Januzaj took time during his first big summer tour with the Reds to conduct an exclusive interview with ManUtd.com after impressing everybody with some eye-catching performances...
You're only 18 but have already won the Reserves Player of the Year and are one of only three of the Under-21 squad on the tour. Are you surprised by the rapid rise or have you managed to take it all in your stride?
I think I worked hard for it because, the year before last, I was injured and couldn't show what I can do. I tried to show it last year and I just grew up and learned loads of things. Obviously, I have my squad number now and that makes me feel happy and want to work harder.
You have played in a number of different positions but where do you feel most at home?
Well, I try to play every position and try to do my best for the team. Where I like to play is in midfield or an inside winger but, like I said, I'm there on the pitch to work hard and that's what I'm trying to do.
Do you think your best chance of breaking into the first team initially may be on the wing?
Well, not really. I can also play as a No10 behind the striker or a No8 or I can play on the wings as well. Last year, I played striker for the Reserves so I can help the team in each position and try to do my best.
Sir Alex Ferguson clearly thinks highly of you. Did he say anything to you after announcing his retirement?
To work hard. The only thing you can do if you want to play in the first team is
Before, I used to like the ball and go to the ball and now I have to do another job and that's defending. You know if you want to help the team, you have to do everything on the pitch and that is what I am trying to do.
What are your aims at United for the next couple of seasons?
I try to play for the first team. Since I was young, I've always loved to play football. My dream was to be a professional player so I will try to give everything to be a professional footballer.
Exciting prospect Adnan Januzaj took time during his first big summer tour with the Reds to conduct an exclusive interview with ManUtd.com after impressing everybody with some eye-catching performances...
You're only 18 but have already won the Reserves Player of the Year and are one of only three of the Under-21 squad on the tour. Are you surprised by the rapid rise or have you managed to take it all in your stride?
I think I worked hard for it because, the year before last, I was injured and couldn't show what I can do. I tried to show it last year and I just grew up and learned loads of things. Obviously, I have my squad number now and that makes me feel happy and want to work harder.
You have played in a number of different positions but where do you feel most at home?
Well, I try to play every position and try to do my best for the team. Where I like to play is in midfield or an inside winger but, like I said, I'm there on the pitch to work hard and that's what I'm trying to do.
Do you think your best chance of breaking into the first team initially may be on the wing?
Well, not really. I can also play as a No10 behind the striker or a No8 or I can play on the wings as well. Last year, I played striker for the Reserves so I can help the team in each position and try to do my best.
Sir Alex Ferguson clearly thinks highly of you. Did he say anything to you after announcing his retirement?
To work hard. The only thing you can do if you want to play in the first team is
work hard, in training and on the pitch. Outside the pitch, you have to be professional. Just to work hard mainly.
Has the way you've developed your game off the ball become a major benefit now you're in the first team on tour?Before, I used to like the ball and go to the ball and now I have to do another job and that's defending. You know if you want to help the team, you have to do everything on the pitch and that is what I am trying to do.
What are your aims at United for the next couple of seasons?
I try to play for the first team. Since I was young, I've always loved to play football. My dream was to be a professional player so I will try to give everything to be a professional footballer.
The difference is that Pogba was a fully developed player. He could play in any midfield out there, at any top club. We were screaming for midfielders and yet he didnt get his chance.
Adnan on the other side, have like 6 or 8 players before him in his positions. He cant expect to be part of the first 11, he is not good enough, and he probably knows it, so there is no reason for him to start thinking bollocks... he sounds composed and must know his chance will come, but first, sign the contract and work hard.
edit: the only way for him to get more playing time, is to play for a smaller team... and he can do that with us if he wants by going on loan, so... at least me, im not worried.
I'm not sure if his contract expires in 2014. He signed professional terms last year. It wouldn't make sense to have him tied down for two years in the pro deal.
Here's the first report when he signed
Here's the first report when he signed
It's interesting that he sees himself as being capable as a No. 8.
I realise that this is my United-midfield-related-PTSD talking, but I reckon he's got just as much to his game as Modric in that position. Possibly more if you want someone who can attack the space.
I realise that this is my United-midfield-related-PTSD talking, but I reckon he's got just as much to his game as Modric in that position. Possibly more if you want someone who can attack the space.
When he says midfield I'm pretty sure he means as an attacking midfielder - i.e. as a no. 10?
I'm sure he can play as an 8 but I think that just stifles the best of his abilities. His short passing isn't necessarily that good and it certainly isn't one of his best attributes. From deep he wouldn't be able to beat people as easily or play through balls, etc.
I don't doubt he has the ability I just think it would be a waste.
I don't know why this happens in England, but midfield seems to be where skillful players go to die. Elsewhere in the world, you'll often find the most talented players in the team played in the middle of the pitch from their youth.
His short passing has been excellent from what little I've seen, fwiw.
Isn't that midfield? Wikipedia seems to think so.
I interpreted that as playing beside Carrick rather than behind the striker which is what I thought Januzaj meant?
Edit: My bad, I totally missed that line.
#8 Means deep in midfield. CM or DM. I forgot the exact details of the position but it's further back than #10.
Of course talented players can play in midfield but I just think he's better suited further forward. Although to his credit, he isn't afraid to do the dirty work, he makes tackles, he's full of energy and a smart passer.
The last five years of United's midfield has just skewed your perspective. Plenty of PL teams have their best player in midfield: Wilshere at Arsenal, Arteta when he was at Everton, Toure at City, Modric when he was at Spurs. Besides, arguably our best player last season, Carrick, is a midfielder. And there was that ginger lad we used to have...
He mentions four positions he can play, essentially: as an 'inside winger' on either wing, as an AM behind the striker, or as the creative CM (#8). Personally I think he's significantly less good in the latter role. It might be something he will grow into later in his career, but right now he's best staying closer to the goal where he can do more damage. Personally I like him best as a wide playmaker. Yes, he can do the Kagawa thing, but he's also excellent at beating a man on the touchline/byline like a normal winger, and it would be a shame to cut that out of his game by forcing him to stay central.
Really, he's the sort of player who should be allowed to range as he sees fit, though. He has an excellent eye for a long pass, so if he feels like dropping deep to pick up and distribute the ball, let him do it. But his starting position should be as part of the AM trio.
Really, he's the sort of player who should be allowed to range as he sees fit, though. He has an excellent eye for a long pass, so if he feels like dropping deep to pick up and distribute the ball, let him do it. But his starting position should be as part of the AM trio.
Carrick was our best player but not our most skillful. Scholes is a case in point of such a player dropping into midfield as he gets older and slower. Rooney has been talked about in the same way.
Wilshere I'll give you - Arsene doesn't seem to be shy about playing that kind of player in CM, but in any other team he'd be a no. 10. Arteta started out as a winger and would have stayed there if he had any pace. Toure made his name at Barca where things are obviously done differently.
Modric is exactly what I'm talking about though. Harry went against the grain with that one and most people in this country thought he was mad to do it.
He is 18, his best position is yet to be understood, in fact his best positions are yet to be determined. Its far too early to be pigeon holing this kid.
I agree with the last bit, especially. One of the things that impresses me most about Januzaj is his drive and personality on the pitch for one so young. We'll miss that if Rooney goes, since Kagawa seems much less likely to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Even if he did predominantly play in a central position, he would never be forced to stay there. Him, Nani, Welbeck, Rooney, Young and Kagawa are all capable of interchanging between those wide and central areas and I think that is what we will see eventually.
his style of play has always reminded me of a Kaka or a Nedved
Ideally he's a 10 behind the striker/as the advanced midfielder in a midfield 3
technically he is ready to play a part - its the physical bit I'd worry about
he looks like he has more ability than Ravel Morrison who looked like a good prospect for that position
Ideally he's a 10 behind the striker/as the advanced midfielder in a midfield 3
technically he is ready to play a part - its the physical bit I'd worry about
he looks like he has more ability than Ravel Morrison who looked like a good prospect for that position
Yeah #8 is definitely deeper than #10. In France, the 8 is called 'relayeur', and basically his role (as I was taught when I played for a club) is to participate in getting the ball back in midfield and more importantly to bring the ball forward (and passing it on to his #10 or other forward players). You don't necessarily have to be a box to box player, but essentially, the #8 is the link between the defensive aspect of the team and the offensive one. He's the #10 sidekick, and usually, effective #10s have a handy #8 to do a lot of the work for them. It requires a lot of qualities: vision, athleticism, excellent passing...
Haven't really seen enough of Januzaj to know whether he'd do well in that position, has he played there for the reserves?
transfermrkt shows following details regarding Januzaj's contract:
At the club since: 01.11.2012
Contract until: 30.06.2015
It is hard to know what is the truth regarding this contractual situation because this is what his agent said in May.
I think as long as we show Januzaj he will be valued and given minutes he will stay.
If we go all Pogba and leave him in the reserves he may well just leave.
He IS good enough to play minutes in our first team, even if its a bit part at the end of games, that will give him enough hunger to push on and commit to the club IMO. He clearly wants to stay and does not seem to have a big ego, he is a hard working lad and he deserves to be rewarded.
If we go all Pogba and leave him in the reserves he may well just leave.
He IS good enough to play minutes in our first team, even if its a bit part at the end of games, that will give him enough hunger to push on and commit to the club IMO. He clearly wants to stay and does not seem to have a big ego, he is a hard working lad and he deserves to be rewarded.
Dirk Devrise sounds like a 70s porn star!
You're thinking Boogie Nights and Dirk Diggler aren't you?
Really hopes he signs a new contract. Also, Juve can feck off.
Well that's a lot of different excuses. Scholes hit his peak as a midfielder, he's hardly a case of a skillful player moving into midfield to die. Carrick is one of our most skillful players, again he certainly goes against your point. Modric and Wilshere, as you say, are further examples. Fair enough Toure started at Barca but if anything he's become a better player (and certainly a more important one) in City's midfield, where the full range of his abilities is better utilised. Arteta didn't have the qualities required from a winger, as you say, but did have the qualities required to make it as a CM - and for a good team strong in that department, Arsenal. That strikes me as another decent counter-example.
I agree that in England, like Brazil, the #10 position is where the best players often end up, as opposed to Spain where there's more of a balance between attacking and central midfielders (partly because there's less defensive onus on a CM in Spain). But to say that in the PL central midfield is 'where skillful players go to die' is just nonsense.
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