Manchester United listening to offers for Januzaj - reports

Adnan Januzaj was once the next big thing to emerge from Manchester United’s famed academy (well, sort of - he was technically only in the academy for two years). Given his full debut under David Moyes in 2013, he was one of the few rays of hope in a dismal, pointless season. He was an exceptional talent, with the kind of skill to make you jump out of your seat. That first post-Ferguson season was a disaster, but at least it gave us Januzaj.

Or so we thought. Januzaj was quickly given a new contract and a tidy pay rise, and before you could say “Are we sure this is a good idea?” stories started to emerge of him having a questionable attitude in training. Two wasted seasons flew by, with the Belgian attacker failing to impress under Louis van Gaal, and during an ill-advised loan to Borussia Dortmund. A loan to Sunderland to work with the manager who had given him his debut was supposed to be a chance to get his career back on track, but it ended with him being booed by his own supporters.

José Mourinho never seemed like much of a fan, and even though the manager played coy about Januzaj’s future, the writing has been on the wall for some time. Now, reports in the last couple of days link Januzaj with a £10 million move to Real Sociedad, which is said to be one of a number of offers that United are considering.

It is likely that United will insert first refusal clauses similar to those included in the transfer of Memphis Depay, but another loan move would be totally pointless. The talent is there, but the application appears not to be, and it’s best that Januzaj gets a fresh start somewhere else.

Life comes at you fast.