Adnan Januzaj Questions Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United Tactics

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has expressed concern with the tactics deployed by manager Louis van Gaal during his first season in charge at Old Trafford, hinting at displeasure with how he's been utilised.

Van Gaal's preferred method is to play with a 3-5-2 system that makes use of wing-backs more so than Januzaj's favoured role higher up the field. Speaking to United Review (h/t Mirror's David McDonnell), the Belgian international stated:

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Yes, the system can make it more difficult for me to play there but I have to keep working That is what I am doing in training every day, as I want to get more games this season. I'm not really a wing-back. It's harder for me because there is more defending involved and I'm not really a defender.

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Januzaj made his emergence as a first-team player during David Moyes' sole season in charge of the Red Devils. His development served as a rare bright patch in an otherwise unsavoury campaign.

He isn't the only wide man forced into change. Ashley Young has come upon new success in the wing-back position having previously gone through first-team troubles, whereas Antonio Valencia's past experience at full-back has lent itself well to the transition.

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Januzaj, who turns 20 on Thursday, has made just five Premier League starts this term, a figure he may find disappointing after expecting to build on the foundations laid last season.

His lack of playing time led to speculation throughout the January transfer window that he may be loaned out. However, the youngster has remained at Old Trafford, although not through a lack of interest from top-tier sides, as Greg Stobart of Goal.com points out:

Moyes was more open to the use of natural wingers during his time in charge at United, but it doesn't seem likely Van Gaal will be making sudden changes to his tactics anytime soon.

Writing for the London Evening Standard (h/t Mirror's James Whaling), ex-Red Paul Scholes voiced concern with the 3-5-2 formation, while fellow United alumni Gary Neville told of his doubts on Sky Sports (h/t Telegraph): 

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They play the ball out from the back – as most good teams would – but the tempo is too slow. They haven’t been taking risks in the 3-5-2 system and in the first 57 minutes at QPR there were no goals, only five shots, four on target and 68% possession.

Then, when they go to the back four, there’s less possession but goals, more shots and generally a far better performance from them in the last half hour. It’s partly the system but it’s a mentality thing as well. I’m not a fan of 3-5-2, when you play that, you end up with your centre backs being the free men and that becomes a careful option, then it kicks into your mentality: ‘I’ve always got a safer pass’.

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In time, the club's fans—and Januzaj—may come to place more faith in Van Gaal's tactics, but for now there remains a substantial divide in opinion regarding what's best for the team.

Spanish writer Sergi Dominguez has even suggested Januzaj may not be at Old Trafford much longer should the problems persist:

It's important to note that Januzaj expresses an intention to keep his head down and work with the tools he's been provided, whether that means adapting to a new role or struggling against competition for places.

The teenager has the benefit of being young enough to adapt in that regard. Older players can often find it trickier to shun the habits picked up across entire careers, whereas youth can offer more malleability.

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Like Januzaj, Young may not have been considered the most defensively adept of players under Van Gaal's command, but the Englishman boasts a winning percentage of 48 percent in all duels this season, per Squawka.

In the long run, the manager's influence could aid Januzaj and others to becoming more rounded versions of their playing selves, but the attacker's comments would suggest he still requires some convincing.