Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj has revealed he wants to put pen to paper on a new deal with the English Premier League champions despite reported interest from FC Barcelona and Juventus, The Mirror understands.
Januzaj, whose current contract expires at the end of next season, has caught the eye of manager David Moyes and clubs abroad on the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East.
The Belgium youth international, 18, wants to commit his long-term future to Manchester United.
“I don’t decide what happens with my contract,” said Januzaj. “I’ve got people behind me who do this for me.
“Manchester United are a big club, I love it here and I feel good, so I hope to stay.
“My dad does everything for me [off the pitch]. He just told me to work hard on the pitch, which is what I try to do.”
Januzaj, United’s Young Player of the Season in 2012/13, has impressed in each of the club’s first three pre-season matches in Bangkok, Sydney and Tokyo.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder is taking full advantage of his opportunity to showcase his talents and could find himself in Moyes’ first-team sooner rather than later.
Jesse Lingard, who has already scored three goals on the club’s pre-season tour, and Wilfried Zaha have also made cases for first-team places.
“On this tour I’ve tried to do my best and worked hard on the pitch,” added Januzaj.
“But it’s hard for us as well, with all the travelling and moving between different countries and time-zones.
“I’ve tried to impress the manager and make sure I give myself the chance to stay with the first-team.”
After back-to-back superb cameos, Januzaj was rewarded with the No. 10 role against J. League side Yokohama F-Marinos in Tokyo, playing behind lone striker Robin van Persie.
The Belgian was delighted with the opportunity to play off the main striker after playing in an unfamiliar No. 9 role for much of last season.
“It’s great because he’s obviously a big player,” said Januzaj. “When you play with big players like him you feel confident, which is good.
“There will maybe be a chance for me to play there this season, so we will see in the future what will happen.
“I think it’s a big season for me. Like I said, I’ve tried to impress the manager and try to play regularly.
“I worked hard last season. I didn’t play in my favourite position, more as a striker, but I think I did well.”
I think it’s safe to say that Januza did pretty well last season. After all, the 18-year-old was named Manchester United Young Player of the Season and handed the No. 44 shirt — prior to the end of the campaign — by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Januzaj, who joined United from Jupiler Pro League giants R.S.C. Anderlecht on 1 July 2011, has been described as “a beautifully-balanced player” by Ferguson.
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