Adnan Januzaj following Carlos Vela as Real Sociedad achieve what Manchester United and Arsenal could not

Adnan Januzaj did it again during the La Liga draw against Las Palmas. Real Sociedad's star scored a goal and provided an assist in an outstanding 2-2 draw in which he did everything, and to a high standard.

They may only be seventh in La Liga, but in Europe they are leading the way. The Basque outfit are the best-ranked side of the 48 sides in the Europa League, leading the statistics when it comes to goals (15 in five matches), victories (four) and passing accuracy (91%).

The reason for how Januzaj has returned to his best is difficult to explain. In just 13 games in La Liga he has been able to match his figures of his last four campaigns (he had previously scored a single goal since 2014), but the most important thing is he is leading Sociedad's attacking threat.

The former Manchester United starlet - he left Old Trafford permanently for £9.8m in the summer - is constantly creating chances, dribbling and opening spaces. Though he is only 22, such have been the setbacks in his career his return to form has been like watching a phoenix rise from the flames.

The talent has always there, but it is very difficult to overcome three consecutive failures at United, Borussia Dortmund and then Sunderland, from a psychological point of view.

"I have much more to offer to this club" he recently told El Mundo Deportivo, though he admitted that he is happy and looking forward to keep progressing. "I know exactly what everyone expects from me, I feel good, I need to work harder because I am aware that I have to score more goals and give more assists. I know what is my role. Give my best version to the squad."

Lorenzo Juarros, Real Sociedad's sporting director, is excited with the level the Belgium international has been operating at. "His talent is out of this world," he explained. "We knew we had to be cautious with him, we needed to treat him well. We need to help him to reach to his 100%, like we did with Carlos Vela."

When Mexico international Vela arrived to San Sebastián in 2011, he had failed to display his talent during his spells at Arsenal, Celta Vigo, Osasuna, Salamanca and West Bromwich Albion. But Sociedad seems to have healing effect when it comes to young players.

Thanks to his current form, Januzaj has forced his way back into the Belgium national team after having been marginalised since 2015. Coach Roberto Martínez declared recently: "We follow Adnan every week. His first weeks of the season have been really positive and it is important because he can play in many positions inside the pitch and I want to test him in the role of Yannick Carrasco." The World Cup takes place in seven months time and Januzaj can be optimistic of being included if his form continues.

But what are the reasons behind his recent improvement? It is important to remember the great atmosphere around the Sociedad camp. "More than football players, we seem like school friends. After the matches, in our daily life, we can go out together to have dinner, at night... and players coming from abroad always well", said club captain Xabi Prieto.

Januzaj is not the exception. "I have never met a player with so much talent at his age," added David Zurutuza, who has previously played alongside Antoine Griezmann at Sociedad. "I have a very good relationship with him, the same as Kevin Rodríguez -the Portuguese international left back," he added on his fellow Frenchman. "We are the only two players who speak French in the team but it is very easy to get on well with him because he has integrated really well in the squad".

Some might have thought that given he played for a top European team such as United, he would behave like a pre Madonna rather than a humble player eager to shine again. But Januzaj is not only working hard on the pitch, but he is also adapting to life at the San Sebastián. He is a good friend of Álvaro Odriozola - the Spanish international targeted by Real Madrid - and they share a passion: horse racing. He has been attending races since he arrived and has expressed his desire to buy his own horse in the future.

If anyone at United thought Adnan Januzaj could not become a world star, they might need to watch Real Sociedad more often. The club's supporters are regularly toasting Januzaj's ability. His side are among the favourites to lift the Europa League this season and the manager Eusebio Sacristán clearly trusts the winger to deliver success.