Manchester United must rest Adnan Januzaj or risk burnout

During what has turned out to a be a burdensome season for Manchester United so far, there has been one significant silver lining. Despite being somewhat unheard of to the footballing world prior to the current campaign, Adnan Januzaj has introduced himself to the Premier League in breathtaking fashion, but now having played 15 of United’s 21 league games, and another six in cup competitions, not only is the cat truly out of the bag regarding the winger’s outstanding ability but he is also in danger of being burnt out.

David Moyes’ decision to include the 18-year-old in United’s pre season set-up now looks to have been an astute call as the Belgian-born teen sparkled throughout. The vast majority were still oblivious to who Januzaj was, or how to pronounce his name, coming into the new season, but all became clear when Moyes granted him his Manchester United league debut against Crystal Palace in September.

Januzaj had a brief glimpse of what life was like as a United player as a late substitute in the Community Shield clash with Chelsea a month earlier, but with 24 minutes on the clock against newly-promoted Palace Januzaj sensed his opportunity to command a place in a stuttering team. He managed to register two shots at goal, whipped three crosses into the box and completed 90% of his passing during his short time on the pitch, and as a result cemented himself into Moyes’ first team plans.

The pinnacle of his short Manchester United career to date, however, came in his first start for the club as he also scored his first goals, starting with a sublime, controlled strike cushioned with the inside of his boot, and following it up with an audacious volley from an angle.

The glint in Januzaj’s eye during his 75 minutes on the field hinted that Moyes had a special player on his hands, and the ovation from the travelling fans when he was brought off was thoroughly deserved.

Since that game he has been heavily involved in anything that the Old Trafford side have done and he has almost made the left wing spot his own.

What stands out about Januzaj is his fearless approach in the opposition half. He uses his pace and nimble dexterity to burst through narrow gaps, his creativity and awareness to slip passes through to his team-mates and combines it all with an air of arrogance, a trait that is held in high regard in forwards. He has a low centre of gravity, too, which enables him to drop his shoulder and skip through challenges, all the while having complete control of the ball.

His confidence makes it incredibly easy to forget that he’s still only 18 years of age and partaking in his first real season in professional football, but that hasn’t stopped spectators ruthlessly picking apart the way he plays the game.

A main concern about Januzaj is his physique, but with time, and effort, that can, and probably will change. Another is that he goes fishing for fouls, rather than staying on his feet and looking for the next option. The main concern, however, is whether or not he can cope with the over-reliance on him to create chances.

United’s shabby midfield has meant that the onus has very much been on the wide men to create this season, and he and Antonio Valencia have very much delivered, carving 34 chances between themselves.

To carry on doing so, though, Januzaj needs to be used wisely. The Premier League can be a gruelling division for any player, of any stature, of any age – never mind a lightweight 18-year-old who has next to no first team football under his belt.

Next up for United is a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on an in-form Chelsea side, which seems like a natural time to rest Januzaj. Although his willingness to shoot from distance – he has had 18 shots so far this season, hitting the target with 10 – will be missed and his direct dribbling when on the ball will be missed, it is in the long term interest of the club that they get the balance in his playing time correct.