Why Manchester United Should Send Adnan Januzaj out on Loan in 2015/16

Adnan Januzaj's 2014/15 season at Manchester United has been something of a washout.

Januzaj was a bright spot in an otherwise very dull season in 2013/14, as David Moyes made him an important part of his side. Louis van Gaal has featured the youngster much less.

The consequence of this is that he has played less than half as many minutes in the league as he did last time out—783 compared with 1,641. He has neither scored nor provided an assist, which he managed to do four and three times respectively last season.

He has completed 90 minutes just four times in the league and once in the FA Cup. Having replaced Angel Di Maria in back-to-back games against Sunderland and Newcastle United at the turn of February and March—when the Argentinian was underperforming—it looked like Di Maria's red card against Arsenal would be good news for Januzaj.

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That was on 9 March. Since then, however, the Belgian has played just 20 minutes of football for United's senior side. Van Gaal could find no role for him as United played their best football of the season. Januzaj was hardly called upon to try and arrest the slump in form that followed.

The Van Gaal era promised much for Januzaj. Here was a manager who had shown time and again he was prepared to gamble on young players. He had mostly played 4-3-3 during his career, and surely one of the wide-forward positions would be perfect for Januzaj.

He was handed Ryan Giggs' No. 11 shirt, which seemed to be a statement of intent.

For whatever reason, though, it has not worked out. Van Gaal took some time to use a 4-3-3, and the 3-5-2 he experimented with had no natural fit for Januzaj. Even after the switch in shape, though, the youngster struggled.

Whether he has found it hard to come to grips with the philosophy or because there are simply better options than him available in his position, Van Gaal has only rarely looked to Januzaj.

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It is difficult to imagine anything changing between now and August that would see the young Belgian featuring more often. Memphis Depay's arrival means more competition for a position in which Januzaj can play.

Only if one of Di Maria or Juan Mata moves on will Januzaj be closer to the starting XI. Assuming that does not happen—and it should not, given how much both can offer United—Januzaj's best bet would seem to be a loan move.

A sale would be too dramatic. After all, his form last season was genuinely exciting. He looked comfortable in top-flight football. He displayed superb balance, making him very difficult to knock off the ball, and there was reasonable evidence of an end product too, given his contribution in goals and assists.

Keeping him around to warm the bench, though, will surely be counterproductive, both in terms of his development and his relationship with the club. At 20 years old, he needs to be playing regularly, especially having had an extended taste of first-team football.

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A loan move would fit the bill perfectly, allowing him to develop away from the spotlight of Old Trafford. If it is the case that Van Gaal is not sold on him as a player, a temporary switch will give Januzaj a chance to prove himself to the manager.

Initially, it would seem logical to look to a loan deal that lasts until the January transfer window, meaning if Janzuaj's form hit a similar peak to his early United career, he could be recalled. He could also come back if injuries hit United's other attacking players or if they failed to make an impression.

As a fan, Januzaj's leaving on loan would feel a little disappointing—given the promise of last season—but if it allows him to improve as a player, it will be better than seeing him on United's bench.

For the player, at this point, the priority has to be time on the pitch. It is a move that would make sense for all concerned. 

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.