Adnan Januzaj Is Manchester United Player with Most to Prove in Rest of Season

Louis van Gaal's first season at Manchester United has been a difficult one for Adnan Januzaj. The youngster's emergence was one of the few bright spots of David Moyes' time in charge. However, rather than building on that, Januzaj has only had sporadic involvement under the Dutchman.

He currently stands at number 18 in the ranking of United players in terms of minutes played in the Premier League, having played just five more minutes than Patrick McNair. This is in spite of the fact that he has suffered no injuries all season and had just one short instance of illness, according to PhysioRoom.com.

And yet there is a paradox here in that Van Gaal has trusted Januzaj at crucial moments of the season. He started against Chelsea and Manchester City in October and November last year when the Iron Tulip first experimented with 4-3-3 at United.

His manager looked to him when Angel Di Maria struggled through the first half of February's game against Sunderland, and indeed the youngster outshone his more illustrious team-mate. When he arrived into that game, he made a difference, making a couple of driving runs into the box and generally looking lively.

Di Maria was immediately reintroduced into the starting XI in the following game, although Januzaj once again replaced him.

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However, regardless of the times Van Gaal has backed Januzaj, it was telling that once Di Maria got himself suspended for his red card against Arsenal, it was Juan Mata, rather than Januzaj, who was re-introduced to the first team.

That change in personnel was accompanied by a change in system that has brought about United's two most functional performances of the season. Januzaj's natural spots in the side are currently occupied, leaving him with a great deal to prove.

There are other contenders for the "most to prove" crown. Di Maria himself has endured a run of poor form.

However, he has nine league assists this season—the second highest of anyone in the division, behind only Cesc Fabregas. Of those, five have come in games in which the relevant goal was crucial to United's points tally (i.e. goals in either draws or wins by a single goal).

He also has an enormous bank of credit from his pre-United career to draw upon. This campaign could easily be written off as a season of transition for the player, as it has been for the club as a whole.

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It could be argued that Radamel Falcao has the most to prove, but it is hard to imagine there is now any circumstance under which he could do enough to earn himself a permanent move to United. It would take a spectacular turnaround to make that seem good value for money, given the season he has had.

Van Gaal is also in a position where he cannot afford to risk disturbing a winning formula, and reintroducing Falcao could threaten the balance his side have finally achieved.

Some of United's defenders might be feeling the pressure too, particularly Jonny Evans and Phil Jones. Both have made plenty of individual errors this season (Evans' misplaced pass versus MK Dons and Phil Jones overhit backpass against Tottenham Hotspur spring to mind). However, the changes in systems and line-ups in defence offers mitigation to United's under-fire defenders.

It should for Januzaj too. With the centre-backs, though, there is a sense that it will be important to keep a deep bench in that area, given the players' respective injury records. In Januzaj's position, it is not clear if that need exists. Equally, even if it does, he may not be content to remain a back-up option. 

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If the youngster is not integrated into the side between now and the end of the season—and given the pattern so far, it seems unlikely that he will—he will have a big decision ahead of him in the summer. While he is still developing, both physically and as a player, sporadic involvement can be beneficial and ensure he does not suffer from burn out.

However, it is hard to see how another season in and out of the first team will benefit him. If Di Maria, Ashley Young and Mata are all ahead of him in the pecking order, then the pressure on him might be too great. At this point, it would not be a surprise if he heads for pastures new when the summer rolls around.

Between now and then, he will remain under pressure to prove his worth.

All statistics per WhoScored.com.