Ex-Manchester United wonderkid Adnan Januzaj claims Louis van Gaal ruined his Old Trafford career
ADNAN JANUZAJ claims former manager Louis van Gaal ruined his Manchester United career.
The Belgian broke into the first team under David Moyes at the age of 18 and scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Sunderland on his debut.
However, his career soon took a nosedive and, despite showing flashes of talent, he failed to convince the Scot's replacement Van Gaal and saw his playing time limited.
Following underwhelming loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, he was sold to Real Sociedad this summer.
Januzaj believes young players need to be given confidence by their manager. He is quoted in as saying: “I didn’t have any chances, really.
"He [Van Gaal] wasn’t giving me the right signals to up my game.
“I was still only a young player. When you have a young player, a manager has to give them confidence. Let them play and grow up.
“Obviously, that didn’t happen under Van Gaal, so it was a very difficult season for me. Before that, David Moyes had trusted me from day one.
NOT-SO LUCKY NO7 Manchester United ‘s iconic No 7 shirt was too big for Memphis Depay so could Alexis Sanchez be heir to George Best, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona?
"He understood I was a young player, but when Van Gaal arrived, everything changed, my progression stopped.
“For a football player, the most important thing is to have a manager who gives you a lot of confidence.
most read in football
"Then you go on the pitch and give everything for the manager, the team and the fans.
“On the pitch, I never think what people are saying. All that matters is to try and look after the ball and do your best. At the time, that was what I was doing.
"I wanted to show my qualities. But, mentally, it was very tough. As a young player, to take all of this and the criticism, it wasn’t easy at all.”
Still just 23, he insists he has unfinished business in the Premier League.
Januzaj added: “With my quality, I think I could go play in any league I went to. I am happy here, but who knows what the future will hold?
"I don’t decide all this, but, if, one day, I have to be back in the Premier League, then why not?
“For now, I am in La Liga and enjoying football here.
"And the most important thing for a footballer is that you have to be happy.”