Adnan Januzaj Impresses During Audition for Manchester United's Starring Role

Manchester United fans got a glimpse into the future on Tuesday night.

At least, a glimpse into Adnan Januzaj's future. 

The Belgian/Kosovan/Albanian/English wonderkid has enjoyed a rapid rise this season.

In a month the 18-year-old has transformed from hot prospect into an established member of the first-team squad.

It's quite an achievement given that the competition for a place in the side includes Wayne Rooney, Shinji Kagawa, Nani and Ashley Young, among others.

The strength of United's squad has meant Januzaj has so far been accommodated in one of the wide midfield positions.

His debut goals at Sunderland came from the left. Trailing Stoke on Saturday, his impressive cameo came from the right.

But against Norwich in the Capital One Cup, David Moyes chose to rest Rooney, Kagawa and Robin van Persie.

It afforded Januzaj the chance to come in from the cold of the touchline and be United's star man.

Playing centrally behind Javier Hernandez, he was the creator-in-chief. Out of the long shadows cast by Rooney, Kagawa and Van Persie, he was full of confidence and dangerous intent.

Picking up the ball midfield in the first half, he had Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn hurtling across his goal with a curling, dipping left-foot effort from 20 yards. 

He was at it again in after half-time, rolling his shot just past the post with Bunn stranded. He had already won the penalty from which Hernandez gave United the lead.

It was a chance for Januzaj to show what he can really do. Norwich showed little ambition to win the game, and the youngster looked to relish his chance to be the main man.

Playing behind the striker is a much harder role than playing out wide. But with his back to goal he showed enough composure and intelligence to turn when he could and play simple passes back into midfield when he couldn't.

Those who watched the Under-21s last season already knew his best position was as a No. 10. But facing a Premier League defence was another test on his way up the ladder, and he passed it with flying colours.

It was telling that when Rooney finally emerged from the bench it was Januzaj who made way, shifting out to the left.

After all, as good as the youngster's performance was, Rooney is still the senior man.

With Rooney, van Persie and Kagawa back in contention when United travel to Fulham at the weekend, Januzaj is likely to be back on the periphery, either out wide or among the substitutes.

But as the United fans left Old Trafford having watched their team earn a place in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup, they went away having had a glimpse at the future.

Januzaj will have to wait his turn before he's considered United's star turn. But his audition couldn't have gone much better.