The young Belgian has taken Ryan Giggs's iconic shirt number this season, but does he deserve it?
Manchester United had a dismal campaign last season under David Moyes.
The one silver lining for the Red Devils last season was the emergence of Adnan Januzaj.
At just 18 years of age, the Belgian-born attacker of Kosovar-Albanian origin was given the nod by Moyes to make his competitive
debut against Wigan Athletic on August 11, 2013 in the FA Community Shield.
The young Januzaj, who joined Manchester United from Anderlecht at the age of 16 in 2011, would go on to make his Premier League debut as a substitute against Crystal Palace on September 14, 2013.
In what would be his first start for the Red Devils, Januzaj made his name known on October 5, 2013 away to Sunderland where he scored two fantastic goals after United were a goal down. The stellar performance at the Stadium of Light gave rise to a teenager whose name would be talked about for the rest of the campaign.
Other clubs were interested in him and the Red Devils had to do everything in their power to secure this youngster on a long-term deal. On October 19, 2013, Januzaj signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United. He went to make 35 total appearances (27 in the league) last season, scoring four goals.
Januzaj | A ray of light for United last term
New Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has relied heavily on youth in his managerial career and the Dutchman has confirmed that Januzaj is part of his plans. A very strong indication of this was giving Januzaj, the number 11 jersey.
When anyone mentions the number 11 at Manchester United, no-one but Ryan Giggs comes to mind. Giggs is the most decorated player in English football and is United’s record appearance-maker, with 963 total showings to his name in a career that spanned 24 years at Old Trafford.
Giggs is indeed a living legend; a player who dazzled the world with pace, trickery and spectacular goals. It’s going to be hard to fill the Welshman’s shoes.
Despite having a remarkable campaign last season, does Januzaj deserve the famous number 11? Should he have left behind the number 44 he wore last season?
Does Januzaj match up to Giggs? Is another Giggs going to be created from this young Belgian?
In fairness, the youngster has been likened to the current assistant coach, as he bursts with pace which allows him to ghost past players. He shows balance when in possession, delivers accurate passes and has great vision. Like Giggs, his left foot is his lethal weapon.
Januzaj might have some similarities with Giggs but he is in no way a reincarnation of the veteran Welshman. Januzaj cannot become a new Giggs overnight. It will have to take quite a period of time before it can be ascertained whether Januzaj measures with Giggs. The Belgian winger will be only the second person to wear the number 11 shirt in the EPL era for Manchester United, it will take him time to match the first.
Walking in the footsteps of icons
Januzaj might have impressed last season but everything could be just hype.
Can he live up to the fantastic performances he had last season?
Januzaj runs the risk of being another celebrated youngster who didn’t manage to realise his early potential; think Jermaine Pennant, David Bentley and United’s own Kieran Richardson among others. These guys started out as bright and promising youngsters but didn’t live up expectations and found themselves playing for smaller clubs instead of the giants.
To avoid this, Januzaj much learn to shoulder the responsibility that accompanies the number 11 shirt. After Giggs’s contribution, the number 11 shirt has now ranks alongside the number 7 shirt, which is considered Manchester United’s magic number. All those who wore the number 7 such as Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and others have became cult heroes at Old Trafford.
Antonio Valencia was given the magic number 7 shirt for the 2012/2013 season after he had an astonishing 2011/2012 season. He didn’t play up to expectations and as such did not represent the number 7 shirt as a true legend. His former number 25 jersey was returned to him during the 2013/2014 campaign.
Januzaj will need to do everything in his power to show the world that he indeed deserves to wear the number 11 jersey at Manchester United, and that can emulate the legend that Giggs was. Failure to do that will mean that the now famous number 11 shirt will be misrepresented and the career of Januzaj might go down the drain despite his undoubted promise and potential.
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