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Januzaj, who signed a new five-year contract with the Reds on 19 October 2013, joined the club as a sixteen year-old in 2011 from Anderlecht, one of the top clubs in Belgium - the country of his birth. Many observers eagerly anticipated him pulling on a red shirt and he did not disappoint, showing off his ability on the ball from the moment he started playing for United at Under-18 level. Playing with an upright style, always looking at the options open to him, he was threatening to become a key figure for Paul McGuinness' team after opening his goal account against Crewe Alexandra.
Unfortunately injury abruptly ended his 2011/12 season but at least he was given a glimpse of the future when travelling with the Reserves squad for the final match of the club's campaign - the Manchester Senior Cup final at the Etihad Stadium. After then forcing his way into the Under-21 side on a regular basis, he earned praise from Sir Alex Ferguson. "Adnan is a beautifully-balanced player," said Sir Alex. "He's only 18 and has to grow into his frame but he he has good balance, good acceleration and is a very good technical player."
Despite performing in some unfamiliar roles, including as a lone striker, Januzaj warmed to the task and was influential in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League success - even if he only found the net once in the competition. Sir Alex handed him a shirt number, 44, and a place on the bench in his final match in charge at West Bromwich Albion.
It was only a matter of time before he made his first outing under Sir Alex's successor, David Moyes, and, sure enough, the new manager included the teenager on his first pre-season tour. His impressive form in a handful of friendlies yielded his first-ever senior goal, a header in the win against Kitchee FC in Hong Kong. Januzaj went on to make his official - or competitive - United debut as a substitute during the 2-0 triumph over Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield at Wembley on 11 August.
Further landmarks were to follow in quick succession, continuing with his Barclays Premier League debut against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on 14 September. Again he showed flashes of his talent after coming off the bench but the Belgian-born youngster would really make his mark when he started a top-flight fixture for the first time on 19 October, away to Sunderland. There, he scored two stunning goals to overturn the opponents' lead and claim all three points for David Moyes' side. Unsurprisingly, he was the unanimous choice as man of the match on ManUtd.com and Twitter.
With the domestic programme paused for the October international break, Januzaj became a hot topic in the media, with one newspaper describing him as 'the most wanted teenager in Europe.' Several days later, any clubs looking to prise him away from Old Trafford at the end of his current contract had their hopes dramatically dashed - he committed himself to the Reds with a new five-year deal and declared, "It’s a great thrill. Since arriving here I have always felt like this was the right club for me."
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