Fergie namedrops Januzaj

"Older players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand may be coming towards the end of their careers, but these younger players are the foundation for the next five or six years, irrespective of the players breaking through, like Adnan Januzaj, the Belgian boy, who's really looking very good.

There has been talk lately of this young footballer. Aged just 18, Januzaj has been given the squad number 44 for the run in, and is widely expected to feature at some point. Sir Alex no doubt wished to give the young lad some exposure - be it first team training, from the bench on match days, or perhaps even some game time. From Michael Keane, William Keane, Davide Petrucci, Jesse Lingard and Scott Wooton, the noises from Carrington have shifted to this wiry Belgian teenager. So, who is he?

Januzaj was signed from Anderlecht, the Belgian club, in 2011. At his previous club, the youngster was fast-tracked to make the senior team. However, when United went calling, he couldn't turn them down. Since, he has recovered from an injury lay-off (the first of his career, he says) to make 15 appearances for the U-21 and Reserves, with 1 goal and 5 assists. He plays a floating role on the right side of midfield, sometimes tucking in and sometimes as a winger proper. Despite the injury layoff, Adnan has been nominated for the Reserves Player of the Year award - clearly his performances are held in high regard by the management.

It is expected that the young Belgian will play on the wing as he first enters the team - indeed the demands and responsibilities of central midfield may yet prove too much for an untested debutant. With our well documented winger situation, this may be a chance for a breakthrough.

If anyone has seen/heard of this guy, let us know in the comments section!