Our A-Z Goal of the Day series reaches double figures today as we reach the letter 'J', which stands for Januzaj.
He rose to prominence in the first season following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, where he was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing year, as United finished seventh in the Premier League table.
SIGNING FOR UNITED
Januzaj had joined Anderlecht as a 10-year-old, but moved to United in 2011, after impressing at a skills session in Belgium. He was named the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year in 2012/13, and was involved in the first-team squad towards the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's final season as manager.
FINEST MOMENT
Januzaj had made four substitute appearances at the start of the 2013/14 season, as United began post-Ferguson life under the new management of David Moyes, but it was the teenager's first Premier League start which really thrust him into the limelight. The Reds had gone behind against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light due to an early goal from Craig Gardner, but Januzaj staged a stunning personal intervention after half-time. He netted twice within six minutes to swing the game in our favour and ultimately secured a vital win. The second goal – today's Goal of the Day – was a particularly memorable first-time, left-footed volley.
Frustratingly, Januzaj struggled to built on an impressive maiden campaign that constituted four goals in 35 appearances. He was handed the no.11 shirt at the end of the 2013/14 season – following Ryan Giggs's retirement from playing – but fared less well under new boss Louis van Gaal.
Soon after scoring the winner at Aston Villa early in 2015/16, he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan, but was recalled early. The following campaign, he agreed a season-long switch to Sunderland. Finally, at the start of 2017/18, he agreed a permanent transfer to Real Sociedad. He remains at the Basque club, and has found form in San Sebastian during 2019/20.
“I’ve played at United and you’re very conscious of adding too much pressure to young players. However, I genuinely think this guy could be one of the best in the world. I think he’s that talented. He has the ability to drift past people as if they’re not there when he attacks the defender’s back foot.”(Gary Neville)