This weekend the world got introduced to the talents of Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj the way it was meant to happen, with a match winning brace against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light when the pressure was truly on.
The 18-year-old was the most lively player in attack for the Red Devils the entire night and you could feel him grasping for his opportunities to score and they eventually came.
On the back of his performance he was praised by his manager David Moyes who had risked including the youngster to the chance of massive criticism had the risk not paid off. However, Moyes looked all the wiser when the young Belgian rescued his floundering side in the second half to stave off a second straight defeat in the Premier League.
Following the players strong weekend performance, the race has been kicked off for all national sides that have a chance to lay claim to the young attacker. First and foremost his birth nation of Belgium was hoping that it would be a lock for him to join his home country, but that was not the case.
On Monday the youngster was quoted as having declined advances from Belgium to place for the National side according to his would be head coach, Marc Wilmots in comments quoted by ESPNFC:
“We called him, but he has told Manchester United that he isn't ready to decide about the national team.
I have given him a clear signal but you can't force people. He's playing well and I would welcome him. I gave him the choice.”
According to his heritage his most likely choice for international football would be Belgium or Albania, but he also is said to qualify for inclusion by Serbia, Turkey or non-recognized Kosovo.
Albanian National Team manager Gianni De Biasi has called Januzaj a, "great talent," and claims the Albanian FA has been, "waiting for the right moment," to discuss calling the youngster up to the national team.
For now though he looks to be focused on one thing only, maintaining his place in the Manchester United first team for the current time being and impressing all that he can to make his mark under David Moyes.
