Manchester United: Adnan Januzaj return draws closer after another outing for Under-21 side

Adnan Janzuaj continues to build his case for a permanent return to the Manchester United first team after another bright performance for the Under-21 side. Warren Joyce's boys sealed a 1-0 win over Sunderland Under-21s at Leigh Sports Village on Monday 25 January, with James Weir finding the breakthrough after capping off a fine team move to secure all three points for his side.

Januzaj, playing in his second game for the Under-21 ranks since returning to the club, also enjoyed a bright performance. The youngster completed 90 minutes in a role out on the right wing before being replaced in injury time, having previously hit the post direct from a corner after 22 minutes.

Andreas Pereira, Guillermo Varela, and Will Keane also featured.

The Belgium international returned to Old Trafford after an ill-fated loan spell at Borussia Dortmund was cancelled in January, but manager Louis van Gaal warned the 20-year-old he must prove his fitness with the reserve ranks before he can be considered regularly for the first team.

Januzaj scored twice in his first outing for Joyce's side against Southampton Under-21s on 18 January, a performance deemed enough to earn him a spot on the bench when Ronald Koeman's senior team visited Old Trafford on Saturday.

He came off the bench with four minutes of the match remaining to replace Cameron Borthwick-Jackson in an unfamiliar role at left-back, but was partly culpable in Saints' winner, conceding the free kick that led to Charlie Austin's goal.

Januzaj joined Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day in September 2015. While Dortmund enjoyed a remarkable first half to the season, the Belgian played a peripheral role in that success, starting just two games for the club.