MANCHESTER — Manchester United have offered Adnan Januzaj a staggering £60 000 a week to stay at Old Trafford after his match-winning display at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Daily Mail
The 18-year-old, another product of Belgium’s golden generation, marked his first English Premier Soccer League start with two goals — the second a stunning left-foot volley — as David Moyes’s struggling side came from behind to claim three points.
And, with the attacker’s contract set to expire in eight months and several clubs interested in signing him, the United boss is eager to secure a deal to keep his new star.
One man who has been impressed is team-mate Wayne Rooney, who is well qualified to pass judgment on precocious teenage talent.
Januzaj’s style and swagger offers a reminder of that shown by Rooney when he burst on to the scene at Everton. “He’s very confident,” Rooney said. “A lot of the young players who come through are a little bit timid and shy, but he looks comfortable and he’s confident in his own ability, which you need to be. He takes the ball, he runs at players and he’s got great ability. I think it’s great the manager has thrown him into the side, especially with what has happened in the last few games.”
Januzaj’s two goals also took the heat off Moyes, a manager who has never hesitated to blood young talent. It was Moyes who gave Rooney his debut at Everton and more recently Ross Barkley. Januzaj, who has impressed since the summer, deserves mention in the same breath.
“He has been so good, it was hard to stop him,” said Moyes, who looks set to lose Marouane Fellaini for a few weeks due to a wrist injury.
“I remember giving Wayne his debut, and Adnan is certainly that quality. He has got goals, he has got ability on the ball, but we will keep his feet on the ground.”
