Manchester United

Keith Gillespie: 'Adnan Januzaj may have to leave Manchester United'

By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter | 17 September 2014

Former Manchester United midfielder Keith Gillespie believes that Adnan Januzaj will struggle to fulfil his potential due to the competition for places at the club.

Former Manchester United midfielder Keith Gillespie has suggested that Adnan Januzaj may have to leave the club to ensure he continues his development.

Januzaj burst onto the scene with a series of impressive displays under David Moyes last season, but the likes of Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria arrived this summer to limit the opportunities on offer to the 19-year-old, and Gillespie believes an extended spell out of the team could persuade him to seek a move away from Old Trafford.

"Unfortunately, with the embarrassment of riches Manchester United have at the moment, he's not first choice," Gillespie told the Manchester Evening News. "He's still young though and is learning the game. He needs games to bring out his potential.

"Just look at the players in the team now, the likes of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

"He's a winger and I'm not sure he can adapt and play as a wing back. He needs to play further forward. It's very difficult to fit him in to the system."

Januzaj, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season, has expressed his determination to impress Louis van Gaal.