Why Adnan Januzaj’s Return Could Instantly Be Good For Manchester United

Poor Adnan Januzaj. After being the one bright spot of David Moyes’ failed Manchester United tenure, the Belgian has failed to come close to living up to the potential that he teased.

Instead the 20-year-old winger’s reputation has become blotted by repeated diving, poor decision making, and all round lethargy.

It was widely agreed that sending Januzaj out on loan to Borussia Dortmund for a year in the summer would be right for everyone involved.

Dortmund would get one of the most promising, young attacking players in Europe, Adnan Januzaj would get more games to hone his raw skill, while Manchester United would have one less temperamental talent to contend with as Louis Van Gaal set out to find his favoured starting eleven.

In the end though it proved to be wrong for everyone.

Borussia Dortmund quickly decided that Januzaj was only good enough to start in Europa League games and had no problem sending him back to England six months early.

Obviously, Januzaj’s confidence will no doubt be shot, while Manchester United still look unbalanced on the right side of attack, with Juan Mata currently going through a horrid barren spell, Tony Valencia out injured until around April, Ashley Young preferred as a right back or wing back, and Memphis Depay settling in torridly.

But, with Borussia Dortmund now firmly in the past, there’s a chance that Adnan Januzaj’s return could actually work wonders for both the player and Manchester United.

Let’s not forget that Januzaj actually started a number of United’s opening fixtures this season. In fact against Aston Villa he scored a wonderfully taken goal, and while he failed to replicate this form after also starting against Club Brugge home and away, and Newcastle, the time away from Old Trafford will allow fans to look upon his efforts with a fresh perspective.

Plus, with Mata crying out to be played as a number 10 so he can be rejuvenated, Depay flattering to deceive on the right wing, and Young preferred as a utility player, there is an opening for Januzaj to impress once he has regained full fitness.

United’s attack has been steadily improving too, with Anthony Martial looking more dangerous out on the left wing with every game, plus Wayne Rooney’s delightful goal against Swansea means there is, once again, renewed hope he will soon be back to his best.

The introduction of the rapid Januzaj will inject some much needed speed to United’s right side, while it will also help to bring a balance to the starting eleven, as it will now include two genuine wingers that are just as likely to go to the byline as well as come inside.

Januzaj will also be eager to prove that he isn’t just a one season wonder, and having previously hired a personal trainer (via The Guardian) for the summer to make sure he was sharper for the start of the new season, this intent will now hopefully be more fervent than ever.

Louis Van Gaal has already insisted that Adnan Januzaj will be given a second chance at Old Trafford, declaring, “I believe in his talent,” while plans are already afoot for Januzaj to start the U21s match away at Reading on Monday.

Who knows then, maybe the three wrongs of Januzaj’s Borussia Dortmund loan spell might actually end up making a right.

[Image via Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos & Getty Images/Alex Livesey]