Adnan Januzaj – Providing a much-needed spark to Manchester United’s flagging campaign

Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United scores his team’s second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on October 5, 2013 in Sunderland, England.

The name of Adnan Januzaj is still trending on various social media channels after a magnificent performance in the shirt of Manchester United after being given his first Premier League start by manager David Moyes.

The 18-year-old Belgian sensation scored two goals in the second half to help United to a come-from-behind victory against the team lying at the bottom of the table.

People may still be struggling to completely get their tongues around pronouncing the youngster’s name, but the name of Januzaj has caught on in the minds of both United and non-United supporters.

So what did his manager have to say? Was he impressed with how well the young Belgian played?

Here’s what the Glaswegian had to say about the youngster from Brussels as well as quotes from other corners.

On Januzaj’s eligibility to play for England:

“The FA have already been in touch, but don’t forget he could choose to play for Scotland, too.”

“He has a choice of countries he could play for, I don’t know who he will choose but I very much doubt he’ll be short of offers.”

On Januzaj’s unresolved contract situation:

“I’m not too worried about the contract situation, I think every young boy wants to play for Manchester United.”

On Januzaj’s impact on his first Premier League start and the kind of talent at his disposal:

“I gave Wayne Rooney his Premier League debut, and Ross Barkley, and Adnan is certainly up there with those players in terms of quality,”

“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. It wasn’t just the two goals, his whole game was outstanding. We know we’ve got a really special talent, but we’ll keep his feet on the He’s going to be a top, top player but I had him in the reserves last week. He’s a very humble boy, a pleasure to work with. I thought this was the right time to play him, because he’s just been so good.”

England manager Roy Hodgson on the possibility of Januzaj playing for England:

“It has to be seriously debated before we start re-nationalising players, but there’s no doubt he’s a real talent and we have our eyes on him. There’s a lot still to be discussed.”

Adnan Januzaj was born in Brussels to Kosovo-Albanian parents and is thus eligible to play for Belgium, through birth, as well as Albania and Croatia due to his parentage. Plus, he has not represented any country at any level internationally so far, so is open to opt for a country of his choosing.

He could well be eligible to play for England, but since he just turned 18 this year, he will have to wait till the year 2018 to complete the necessary five-year period that qualifies him on the basis of being a resident. The other possibility of course is if he marries a British citizen after having stayed in the country for a period of three years (Any volunteers?).

A whole host of clubs have registered interest in the youngster including Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid. And United would do well to try their very best to hang on to Januzaj who is currently involved in a contract wrangle at Old Trafford.

United will be keen to avoid a repeat of the Paul Pogba situation; the young Frenchman left the club in July 2012 after he refused to sign a new contract citing a lack of playing time and joined Italian giants Juventus. And since joining the Bianconeri has gone on to become a key part of Antonio Conte’s team and has emerged as one of the best young midfielders in the world.

Moyes is on the right track by giving Januzaj lots of game time which is coming though at the expense of United’s £18 million signing from last year Shinji Kagawa.

The Scot over the years has built a reputation for blooding youngsters during his time at Preston and Everton. At the Merseyside club, he brought through players like Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman and United fans will be hoping that he can work some similar magic with Januzaj.

The Belgian looks the brightest spark at United this season and has offered the beleaguered Moyes and the rest of the squad a much needed boost in what has been a disastrous start so far to the season.

United fans will be hoping that he stays fit and continues to consistently put in performances of a similar ilk right through to the end of the season.

For the craze and mayhem that gripped social media during Januzaj’s dazzling display yesterday, check out this article.

And for the best tweets from around the web, click here.

(Quotes courtesy: The Guardian)