Can Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj make it at Manchester United?
If you didn’t know Jesse Lingard before, you will now. A good pre-season for Man United in Asia has led to a loan move to Birmingham for an initial month. He made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday and boy was it spectacular.
Four, that’s right four, goals in his first match for the previously goal-shy blues stunned Wednesday and his new supporters. But for those who watched him during pre-season for United will not have been surprised. Watching the video you will see that he is very confident on the ball and in his finishing and isn’t afraid to shoot from range.
Born on the 15th of December 1992 in Warrington, Lingard was picked up by the Manchester United scouts and quickly progressed through the ranks at the Red Devils. He was part of the side that won the 2010/2011 FA Youth side.
He failed to make an appearance in the first team before going on loan to Leicester on a two month loan. He only made five appearances and failed to score a single goal. But a successful pre-season and a good start with Birmingham have United fans feeling very optimistic over the young striker.
Another player who United fans will have noticed during pre-season is Adnan Januzaj. Two years Lingard’s junior, Januzaj had made strides into United’s first team this season impressing fans with his want to always take on opponents.
After spending his youth career at Anderlecht he joined United in 2011 and has come on leaps and bounds since. His straight back running style reminds many of a certain Johan Cruyff. But if you thought the pressure of wearing the famous shirt would faze him, you needn’t worry.
His 30 minute cameo appearance against Crystal Palace showed his attacking presence, giving defender Adrian Mariappa a torrid time for the last half hour and should have done better with a right footed which he skied over. Also, his left foot much better than his right it would seem, but that didn’t do Ryan Giggs any harm!
His confidence is one displayed from a 28-year-old not an 18-year-old, something that can only serve him well in the future. Moyes’ has already seen enough in him to warrant some first team action as he hasn’t gone on loan, although he may in January.
He looks set to sign a new contract, with United looking to avoid another Paul Pogba situation with Manchester City on the prowl. Belgium have also been trying to get him to play for them but he has often rejected their calls, citing he wants to play for Albania instead, although recent reports have suggested some dodgy individuals are forcing him to play for the small European question.
But for now Januzaj will continue to do what he does best, playing football like it is just another day in the park.
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