Adnan Januzaj could be the key to Manchester United salvaging their season

Adnan Januzaj

While Manchester United’s struggles threaten to bring a lamentable season to what could be considered a much-needed halt, Adnan Januzaj sits on the bench twiddling his thumbs while his teammates fail to deliver the goods.

During his elementary stages as Manchester United manager, David Moyes was implored to field Adnan Januzaj by the Old Trafford faithful, who had recognised the potential of an rising star and experienced the likes of Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young frustrating all too often.

Credit to Moyes, then, for turning to the untried youngster in an attempt to save a season which was unravelling before it even truly began.

His impact on a side seemingly devoid of confidence was discernible and the expression to play football in the manner they desired.

Januzaj Man of the Match vs Sunderland – PL 2013/14

Januzaj was a breath of fresh air for a team which had been allowed to become stale under Moyes’ tutelage and it appeared to be a monkey off the back of the Scot when his courageous selection paid dividends with a stunning brace in a 2-1 win at Sunderland.

1-0 down and looking second best in every area, Januzaj stepped it up a gear to unleash two finishes of the highest order; turning the game on its head and, in turn, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

He may have only scored three times this season – his other having come against West Ham United during a routine home win – but just three United players have scored more and just two have devised more goalscoring opportunities.

To underline the paucity of performance from Moyes’ widemen, Januzaj’s Performance Score of 176 ranks higher than that of Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Nani and auxiliary winger Shinji Kagawa.

For a side who have always relied on quality service from wide positions, and one whose transformation from Premier League champions to mid-table obscurity is unprecedented, the only player who could conceivably make an argument of being played above Januzaj is Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck Goals Scored

Welbeck has scored more goals (eight), reflected in his performance score of 368, but has hardly proven the bastion of consistency required to help drag United out of the mire.

Besides, Welbeck is not fundamentally a winger. He craves the central spot, one he has been able to occupy on a few occasions this term as a result of Robin Van Persie’s recurring injury problems but when the Dutchman is fit, the England international faces being shoe-horned out wide or having to settle for the type of ‘impact’ role that has come to embody Javier Hernandez’s time at Manchester United.

Welbeck vs Januzaj Comparison Matrix

It therefore seems strange that Moyes has used a man – who had dug him out of a fair few holes earlier this season lest we forget – so sparingly across United’s last five Premier League games.

The decision – equally as bold as the judgment call which saw Januzaj hurled into the team in the role of saviour – has produced mixed results, with United having failed to win three of those five, losing further ground in the race for Champions League and, gulp, Europa League football.

Januzaj’s absence is too simple a reason to put down for such lacklustre showings during defeat at Stoke, a draw with Fulham and a 2-0 Champions League defeat in Olympiakos but a correlation is beginning to form.

An over-dependance on someone so young is startling when you consider the stellar names on offer to Moyes but, put in its most stark terms, there is no cohesion and no spark to United’s play, particularly from out wide.

Man United Attempted Crosses vs Fulham – PL 2013/14

The draw with Fulham was a case in point. The number of crosses (81 to be precise) was a Premier League record for all the wrong reasons as delivery after delivery arrived and was batted out easily on each occasion.

The towering 6ft 7in frame of Cottagers’ defender Dan Burn extinguished any hope Van Persie had of connecting with each optimistic cross. United desperately required some craft and poise with the ball in wide positions.

When Januzaj emerged, the Fulham defence naturally sought to combat his directness and pace by sitting deeper. It was a ploy which, but for Darren Bent’s late equaliser, would have failed, with Januzaj able to team up with Patrice Evra down the left.

Evra has created a remarkable 34 chances this season – only Rooney has more to his name – and it cannot be put down to mere happen-stance that Januzaj’s presence has helped him to achieve that, with Rooney’s strike in the recent 2-0 win over Crystal Palace able to reinforce the point.

Januzaj’s introduction against Fulham ironically coincided with two crosses and two goals. His dart into a central position opened up space for Evra to supply a more measured delivery, while Januzaj’s own meant the Cottagers’ defensive line dropped and, as a result, Michael Carrick was free to curl home what looked to be the winner.

Januzaj Duel Success – PL 2013/14

Interestingly enough, Januzaj is not the most successful when it comes to committing defenders, having secured a 56% take on success from 63, the most of any United player.

Manchester United players at left wing comparison matrix

It should be factored into the debate that Nani (69% from 32) and Shinji Kagawa (57% out of 14) have attempted considerably less, a byproduct of falling from favour under Moyes, but both Valencia (48% completion from 56 attempted) and Young (36% from 25) pale into insignificance.

Whatever the reasons for Januzaj’s continued exile from first-team duty, Moyes simply cannot afford to leave a man who relished his daunting debut at Sunderland and holds the rawness and, above all, the quality to renew Champions League aspirations by overturning their two-goal deficit and at least restore some dignity in a disastrous season.

Januzaj has been the sole plus point for Moyes. What has he exactly got to lose by restoring him?