Manchester United: Herrera injury gives maestro a chance – will he take it?

It’s been a turbulent time for the Manchester United squad. Three managers in two years has left the players regularly wondering what their future holds.

Last season David Moyes gave Adnan Januzaj his wings and the brilliant youngster turned out 35 times for the first team – scoring 4 goals.

But the arrival of Louis van Gaal – along some expensive signings – has seen the Belgium International largely demoted to the reserves.

At 19, there is no shame in that, but it must have been disappointing for the lad himself after such a great debut season. Whilst he hasn’t exactly looked overjoyed to be playing in front of hundreds instead of tens of thousands, he has got on with it and his form certainly hasn’t waned. Where many would have sulked Januzaj has been on fire, hitting a hat trick in a recent match against Sunderland and scoring a free kick from a seemingly impossible angle last week.

It’s a matter of when not if Januzaj’s next big chance comes. And the fractured rib of Ander Herrera could open the door.

Manchester Untied have looked confused at the back and the idea of selecting Januzaj on the right of the diamond in midfield, instead of Herrera, may leave some concern that the team would be even less sturdy defensively. Herrera is primarily a creator but he can tackle and works really hard. He’s happy to do the defensive part.

But Manchester United have 6 defenders on the park at most times – last weekend it was De Gea, Shaw, Rojo, McNair, Rafael and Blind – and that should be enough to cope with the opposition.

So, in the light of Rooney’s suspension, Januzaj may get his chance to shine against Everton this weekend. soccersweep would certainly play him in an attempt to take the initiative and do terminal damage to Everton early. While Antonio Valencia may be the preferred option of many – he’s right-footed after all – we believe that it would be marvellous to see Di Maria and Januzaj in tandem on either side of that diamond. Let us not forget that Di Maria can also do an excellent job on the right so he and Januzaj could regularly swap flanks to further befuddle the opposition.

If Valencia were preferred from the off Januzaj may still get a start instead of Mata in the hole but that seems unlikely.

Chances have been limited for the lad this season and, even without Rooney and Herrera, he may still struggle to get in the side this weekend. But if Januzaj does get a start you do feel that he is ready to grab it with both hands.

Manchester United fans: would you find a place for Adnan this weekend?