Adnan Januzaj's first two goals in the Premier League came against Sunderland under David Moyes three years ago. It was an inspirational debut and his input was enough to see United go on to claim all three points with a 2-1 win.
As things transpired, that was as good as it would get for United that year but during that difficult season, a gem was found in the young attacker.
Since then, Januzaj has drifted in and out of United's first team squad and even spent time in Germany at Borussia Dortmund in an effort to stimulate the youngster's development and also so Louis van Gaal would not have to deal with the 21-year-old at Carrington.
David Moyes has offered the player an olive branch by loaning him at Sunderland for the year but insists it is time for the Belgian to stop blaming others and help himself to develop as Moyes knows he can.
“I’ve said to Adnan, you need to stop blaming everyone else for what’s gone wrong,” said Moyes.
“This loan’s a little bit of a risk. I’ve told Adnan to look at himself and realise that it’s down to him to change it; it can’t always be the manager’s fault or the coach’s fault that he hasn’t progressed. Adnan’s got to ask has he prepared right, has he got himself in the best condition, has he trained well enough? And, when he’s got his opportunity, has he played well enough? In a lot of cases the answer has to be ‘no’.”
He did go on to praise the player by saying, “He’s two-footed, he’s got a little bit of Chris Waddle about him and it’s a big boost because it’s the level of quality I would like to bring here,” said Moyes. “I’m going to try to get him back to the levels he was at a couple of years ago.
“He’s coming to a manager who trusts him and believes in him but he’s not really featured for the past couple of years. But this boy can play two or three different positions, he’s got an ability to go past people, score goals, make goals. He’s got the talent to be a big, big player."
Sunderland take on Manchester City at the Stadium of Light in the late kick-off on opening day.
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