Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj set to be used as a make-weight for Louis van Gaal's summer dealings

Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj will reportedly be a key pawn in Louis van Gaal's summer transfer plans.

According to Manchester Evening News, the Belgian international, who was the breakthrough player for United last season, has struggled to nail down a regular place in the team this season under the new manager and could be used as a make-weight to land one of Van Gaal's priority summer targets.

Januzaj made 15 starts and 27 appearances in the Premier League under former manager David Moyes last season, and this year he has made just five starts and a total of 12 appearances thus far.

As the midfielder himself admitted, he is struggling under the manager's new tactics. The Dutchman has shifted to a 3-5-2 formation and the arrival of expensive recruits like Angel di Maria and Juan Mata have made it hard for the Belgian to get regular playing time in his preferred position on the wing or as a number 10.

Januzaj was keen to go on loan to get regular time, but Van Gaal refused to let the player leave on loan during the January transfer window, and it now looks like the United youngster is running out of time to convince the manager of his potential to succeed at Old Trafford.

Premier League rival Everton were keen on taking the player on loan, as were Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. But the player's agent admitted that United rebuffed offers from the French club as the former Bayern Munich manager was keen to keep him at the club.

However, the report claims that Van Gaal, who is interested in strengthening his defence during the summer transfer window, has earmarked Toffees defender Seamus Coleman and PSG defender Marquinhos as potential arrivals.

It is believed that the manager could use the duo's interest in the midfielder as a potential bargaining chip to land either of his preferred transfer targets.