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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14:  Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on August 14, 2015 in Birmingham, England.  (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on August 14, 2015 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Manchester United Transfer News: Adnan Januzaj Wanted by Juventus, Fresh Rumours

Matt JonesAug 17, 2015

Serie A giants Juventus will test Manchester United's resolve to keep Adnan Januzaj in the final weeks of the transfer window, with latest reports suggesting they are ready to make a bid.

According to tuttomercatoweb (h/t Sean Kearns of Metro), the Bianconeri are set to revive their interest in the Belgian international, whom Sunderland has also targeted in a loan move. Januzaj made his first start of the season for the Red Devils in Friday's game against Aston Villa, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United scores the opening goal  during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United on August 14, 2015 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths

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As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, it was a strike that has been a long time coming for the prodigious winger:

After the match, Januzaj insisted that talk of a transfer was "only rumours," stating, "I am happy here, and I want to fight for my place," per Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News.

Even so, manager Louis van Gaal was far from effusive in his praise for Januzaj after the match.

"He had also a lot of ball losses, and in my opinion [they were] unnecessary," he told Sky Sports (h/t Richard Jolly of ESPN FC). "He scored a wonderful goal, but in all the other aspects of football, you have to show it. I am very pleased of course because we have won on this goal, but there is more than making a goal."

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14:  Louis van Gaal, manager of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on August 14, 2015 in Birmingham, England.  (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty

Not everyone agreed with that assessment, though, including sports journalist Musa Okwonga:

There's no denying that Januzaj has the talent to go to the top. In a column for FIFA (h/t Craig Hope of MailOnline) in 2013, former Red Devils defender Gary Neville said the Belgian "could be one of the best in the world." But as of yet, Januzaj has failed to live up to the hype.

Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United reacts after missing a goal during an International Champions Cup match against FC Barcelona at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on July 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSON        (Photo credit should read Josh E

Having been handed the No. 11 shirt last season, there were plenty who expected the winger to thrive under Van Gaal, but minutes were hard to come by. So the prospect of a loan or a transfer away from Old Trafford may be something that'd appeal to the youngster as he looks to kick-start his career in earnest.

Alex Shaw of ESPN certainly doesn't think a loan move to Sunderland would be the best course of action for the player, though:

As noted in the aforementioned piece from ESPN FC, Van Gaal has made it clear Januzaj is not for sale, and as such, it'd be difficult to see Juve prising him away from Old Trafford. The player has already proved this season he's capable of making decisive contributions for the Red Devils, too.

Van Gaal still doesn't sound overly convinced, but the best way to iron out the capricious chinks in Januzaj's playing style is by integrating him into the side at suitable times. With United short of quality attacking options, provided they don't go and spend massive money in the latter stages of the window, perhaps there will be a chance for the 20-year-old to make a major mark in 2015-16.

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