Januzaj’s Old Trafford reprieve could prove short lived

Adnan Januzaj may have seen his Old Trafford career prolonged by Louis van Gaal in the January transfer window but the young Belgian could yet be on the move in the summer.

Both Everton and PSG were rebuffed in the winter, with Van Gaal rejecting a loan approach from the Toffees and a purchase enquiry from the Parisiens.

However, Januzaj could still end up at either club with United keen on bringing in either Seamus Coleman from Goodison Park or Marquinhos from the Parc des Princes in a bid to shore up the defence.

Januzaj was a regular starter and indeed one of a just a few positives under David Moyes and while Van Gaal rates the Belgian’s natural talents, his inability to fit into the Ducthman’s systems means a question mark hangs over his long-term future at the club.

While the likes of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have adapted well to provide Van Gaal with the wing-back options he craves, Januzaj, by his own admission, has struggled.

“I’m not really a wing-back. It’s harder for me because there is more defending involved and I’m not really a defender,” he said.

The midfielder, who is competing with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata for an attacking midfield berth, is determined to prove his worth to Van Gaal but with demand for his signature high he could prove the ideal makeweight when the transfer window re-opens.

United were reportedly unsuccessful with a £35m bid for Marquinhos on deadline day but with Laurent Blanc interested in Januzaj, the possibility of a summer move for the 20-year-old remains open.

United travel to West Ham this weekend after swatting Cambridge aside 3-0 in the FA Cup and the visitors are expected to come away with all three points, with Ladbrokes pricing them as 19/20 favourites.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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