Manchester United’s Youngsters on Loan
Adnan Januzaj
The boy-wonder from 2013-14 has been on loan at Sunderland this season, currently at the bottom of the Premier League. After a failed six-month period at Borussia Dortmund last year, he seems to have become a real conundrum of sorts, not pushing on from very promising performances 2-3 years ago. It is like he has hit the wall on his development after recognition early on in his career got to his head.
Nevertheless he has put in some decent, if not great, performances this season as Sunderland are mired in a relegation fight under David Moyes. The Black Cats manager being an admirer of Januzaj was one of the reasons Jose Mourinho sanctioned this loan with Januzaj getting plenty of playing time. He has developed a fruitful partnership with Jermaine Defoe in attack, frequently collaborating for goals.
Next season he has an outside chance to make the first-team squad at United, if he proves it on the training ground by keeping his head down and working hard. Otherwise another loan or even a permanent transfer should be the next step. At the age of 22, he still has time on his side to have a successful career.