Juan Mata Says Manchester United Starlet Adnan Januzaj Can Become a World Class Star

Manchester United offensive midfielder Juan Mata has claimed teenager Adnan Januzaj has what it takes to become a world class star in the coming years.

The emergence of the United prodigy was one of the few bright spots during the David Moyes era, scoring four goals in 27 Premier League appearances, and even earning place in Belgium's World Cup squad.

With the arrival of Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera, Januzaj has seen his time restricted under Louis van Gaal, but Mata believes that if the Belgium has patience he is going to become a real star.

"I have really good teammates at Manchester United, like Rooney, but I was surprised by Januzaj (when I arrived at Old Trafford). He is great. I can see every day that has a unique left foot. He must have patience but if he has it we will be talking about an extraordinary player."

When questioned during an interview with El Pais about the Premier League players who have impressed him the most in recent years, apart from Rooney and Januzaj, Mata said: "Van Persie, Bale, and Luis Suarez"

"When we played against Liverpool, Luis Suarez could beat us on his own. He was the 70% of Liverpool."

Meanwhile, Mata has hailed the summer arrivals of both Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria.

"Angel is a phenomenon. He adds many things to United, he is very intense with the ball, very electric. He intimidates the rivals and forces them to play very back.

"And Falcao is a wonderful person, very humble, and a top goalscorer. It's amazing how he moves in the area, how he is always ready to score. It's pure instinct. He had a major injury, but he is now recovered."

Mata is struggling to convince van Gaal that he deserves a regular place in his line-up.

However, the Spaniard believes the new boss is going to make him a better player.

"[Van Gaal] has a lot of experience and I can learn a lot from him. He says things in a firm way, intensely, but then he's somebody who is very close with the players. He really likes to talk with us, to ask us what we think about the exercises that we do in training."