Manchester United fans in the Football Transfer Tavern are not enjoying January quite as much as they enjoyed December.
Their Premier League campaign has started to falter again with a tame 1-1 draw at Stoke City on New Year’s Day followed up by a 1-0 home defeat to Southampton on Sunday.
The result meant that Louis van Gaal now holds an identical points record to that of predecessor David Moyes after 21 matches despite having spent over £100 million more in the transfer market.
Whilst the Dutchman is not best pleased with the comparisons, it is a stat that can’t help you feeling a little bit sorry for United’s former ‘Chosen One’.
Perhaps the thing Moyes will most be remembred for during his time at Old Trafford is introducing Adnan Januzaj to the first team.
But with van Gaal having signed a host of attacking stars in the summer, the Belgian teenager is currently struggling for first team football and has been linked with a loan move away this January.
Here we have identified five destinations where Januzaj could end up by transfer deadline day.
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Click on the Belgian himself to reveal the 5 ‘most likely’ loan destinations for Man United’s Adnan Januzaj.
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Everton
Everton and Manchester United have a history of conducting transfer business that has been beneficial for both parties. The Toffees’ struggles this season mean they could really do with a player of Januzaj’s talent whilst they are in no way a direct threat to United’s Champions League aspirations this season.
Everton would give Januzaj a chance to gain further Premier League experience, playing a style of football in which he would be suited to. And with United reportedly interested in Seamus Coleman, a favour for the Toffees may come in handy later on down the line.
Paris Saint-Germain
The Ligue 1 giants have previously expressed an interest in signing Januzaj on a permanent basis and have registered their interest in taking the teenager on loan for the second half of the season.
The chance to train and play alongisde the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic daily would only benefit a player of Januzaj’s talent whilst there is also the very realistic prospect of a title winners medal come May, not to mention Champions League football.
The problem however would be, would Januzaj be assured of first team football any more than he would be at Old Trafford?
Ajax
The Dutch giants are famous for their handling of young players with their youth system perhaps the most respected in all of Europe. In Frank De Boer, Januzaj would play under a manager that would give him the opportunity to express himself whilst also instilling tactical discipline.
De Boer is a player Louis van Gaal knows very well and the relationship between those two as well as others at van Gaal’s former club could well play a part in Januzaj moving to Amsterdam for the second half of the season.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan are in the process of a major rebuilding job having re-appointed former manager Roberto Mancini.
Mancini previously tried to sign Januzaj whilst in charge of Manchester City and the Belgian would be set for regular first team football at the San Siro.
It may well be a good experience for Januzaj to sample life in Serie A given the style and tactical nature of the league. The fact he would get more time on the ball may well suit his style and could prove an excellent confidence booster heading into next season.
Stoke City
An outside bet perhaps but there are a few factors that make Stoke City a destination worth considering. First is the fact Mark Hughes may well be in the market for another wide man having allowed Oussama Assaidi to cut his loan spell with the club short in the past couple of days.
Second is their desire to add some more technical players to improve the team’s style of play whilst a move to the Britannia Stadium would also benefit United as it would allow Januazj to gain more Premier League experience.
And let us not forget Hughes is a former United player and the club have made a habit of doing favours to their former players turned managers down the years.
