The news all Manchester United fans were dreading was painfully confirmed on Sunday evening as the clubs top transfer target and Spanish U21 captain Thiago Alcantara completed a £22 million deal from Barcelona to reigning European champions Bayern Munich. An early blow for Moyes' new era in the red half of Manchester.
The Old Trafford faithful saw Thiago as the missing piece of the puzzle. A player with the talent and creativity that has been lacking in the Red Devils midfield in recent years. A player with an eye for goal, quick turn of pace and a killer pass.
Fear not though Manchester United fans for there are 'plenty more fish in the sea' and one of these fish, in fact, has been basking under your very noses in the form of Adnan Januzaj, the name may sound familiar and if it doesn't it most certainly will soon. Januzaj was awarded United's Reserve Team Player of the Year award for his efforts in the 2012/13 season, impressing Sir Alex enough to give the youngster a squad number (44) in the senior team and whilst not quite in the same bracket as Thiago just yet he's a player with bags of ability, vision and potential.
Januzaj is a well balanced player that is capable of playing in a number of positions. The 18-year-old has an excellent first touch and tremendous vision which makes him ideal for an attacking midfield role but can also prosper in a wide position because of his dead ball ability. The Belgian is quickly growing into his tall frame and before long will have a strong physique allowing him to compete in the middle of the park. He plays with his head up and possess a brilliant footballing brain, spotting runners and getting strikers into play with decisive passes.
It's clear that David Moyes also see's the potential this youngster has and has included him in the squad for United's pre-season tour. This is an opportunity for Januzaj to show the new boss what he can really do and so far he hasn't disappointed, receiving the man-of-the-match award after United's loss against a Singha All-Star XI.
The bottom line is that Januzaj looks to potentially be one of the brightest young talents around, and with the right coaching and encouragement he will flourish and United fans will be saying, Thiago who?
Source: DSG
