Adnan Januzaj Yet to Find a Place in Louis Van Gaal's New-Look Manchester United

If Manchester United fans have been busy celebrating the arrivals of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, you can forgive Adnan Januzaj for not joining in.

When the players arrive back at Carrington this week to prepare for QPR's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday, it might be difficult for the 19-year-old to stop himself from looking around and wondering where he fits in.

He was one of very few highlights for United last season. David De Gea's form and the baby-faced Belgian breaking into the first team were perhaps the only two.

But if Januzaj was hoping to kick on this season, he has cause to worry.

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United fans are desperately trying to work out how to fit Di Maria, Falcao, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata into the same team. Then there's Januzaj.

Even before Di Maria and Falcao arrived, Januzaj was struggling to find his place under Louis van Gaal.

He missed the pre-season tour of the United States when the Dutchman was taking the time to get to know his new players.

Back in the squad for the final final pre-season friendly against Valencia at Old Trafford, Januzaj came on as a centre-forward.

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Against Swansea, he came on for Jesse Lingard as a right wing-back but finished the game on the right of midfield. He was probably United's best player on an otherwise disappointing afternoon.

In the next Premier League game at Sunderland, he played the last 27 minutes as a deep-lying midfielder alongside Tom Cleverley.

Next, as United chased a goal against Burnley at Turf Moor, he replaced Mata for the final three minutes to play as an advanced No. 10.

Three Premier League games, three different positions.

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The one downside of signing Di Maria and Falcao, two wonderful players, is that there's a chance the extra competition will affect Januzaj's development.

He played 35 games last season, but it's difficult to see him getting the same again with so many star names in his way.

Having a big squad with plenty of attacking options wouldn't usually be a problem.

But with no Champions League football and already out of the Capital One Cup, they're only going to play once a week.

Squad rotation will be kept to a minimum, and that's not good news for players on the fringes of the team.

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There's an argument that training with players like Di Maria and Falcao every day will help Januzaj improve.

While that is true, there's nothing more demoralising for a player than to train in the week and then sit in the stands on Saturday.

Januzaj forced his way into the team last season because he was good enough. Under Van Gaal this season, however, the standard of the attacking players in the squad has improved.

It will be up to Januzaj to show he's good enough again—even with Falcao and Di Maria in his way.