Louis Van Gaal has warned Adnan Januzaj that he must make the most of his talent if he is to succeed at Old Trafford and force his way into the starting XI on a regular basis.
Januzaj made his first Premier League start in almost three months against Leicester on Saturday and gave a good account of himself playing on the left side of a midfield diamond. It was only the sixth name Van Gaal had named the Belgian, who turns 20 on Thursday, in his starting XI this season and the United manager insisted the teenager must perform week in, week out to secure a starting spot.
“He has a lot of talent but you have to perform that talent in the matches and also in the training sessions,” said Van Gaal.
“I’m not making the line-up, the players themselves are making the line-up. You don’t believe that, I think.
“I observe and I communicate with my players what I want every day. At the moment I think ‘okay, he is now ready to play’ then maybe I can let them play.
“I have to compare Januzaj with Juan Mata and now I choose Januzaj. I’m looking every week and every day the players have to show it. I’ve said this to the players, to Falcao, Mata and Januzaj.
“The competition is high and also that’s difficult to manage for players.”
On Monday, Januzaj, who also attracted interest from Inter Milan and PSG, was linked to a loan move to Everton, with Roberto Martinez reportedly keen to bring the teenager to Goodison Park until the end of the season.
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