Manchester United have seen so many players emerge through the youth ranks over the years, but achieving sustained success has not been easy.
Manchester United have a rich history in terms of promoting players through the youth ranks.
Cole Palmer slipped through United’s grasp, but United boast an exceptional record with young players making first-team debuts.
Harry Amass became United’s 253rd academy graduate in March, as the young left back came on to feature against Leicester City.
There will be more to come under Ruben Amorim, with Bendito Mantato catching the eye in United’s youth ranks.
Some will make the grade, but some will end up moving on for opportunities away from Old Trafford – just like Adnan Januzaj.
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Josh Harrop on Adnan Januzaj
Some would have expected Marcus Rashford to be a United star throughout his career, but he is now on loan at Aston Villa and could leave permanently.
That just goes to show how difficult sustained success at United really is, and Januzaj found that out early in his career.
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Januzaj exploded onto the scene under David Moyes, scoring twice in a 2-1 win at Sunderland in his first Premier League start, aged just 18.
The Belgian winger was handed a new five-year deal just weeks later, and proved to be one of few bright spots in the torrid 2013-14 season.
Januzaj never recaptured those highs, though, and played just 23 Premier League games for United after that breakout campaign.
After loan spells with Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, Januzaj was sold in 2017, with his United career proving to be something of a disappointment.
Former United talent Josh Harrop has now told Sky Sports that Januzaj was simply the best player he played with in his career.
Harrop is now playing in the Baller League, some eight years since scoring on his Premier League debut for United.
Harrop is another case of sustained success at United being difficult, but he heaped praise on Januzaj.
The former Preston North End playmaker noted that Januzaj had ‘aura’ at a young age and was just a ‘different talent’ upon arriving in United’s first-team setup.
“A lot of people ask me this, I’ve played with, obviously, a lot of big names, but one who I always say to this day was Adnan Januzaj,” said Harrop.
“Maybe because I played with him more, in the reserves, and then I saw him when he broke into the first team, but the things that guy could do with a ball was just different. He was just a different talent, and I think his aura at that age, he was like 18 or 19 – he walked into that first team like he was the man, and he had the ability to back it up as well.
“I remember training and going up to the first team. I was a bit nervous, and I’m seeing him just ripping it. But Adnan Januzaj is, I’d say, the best player I’ve played with,” he added.
"He was just a different talent, his aura…wow."
Josh Harrop shares who his favourite player was to play with at Manchester United 👀🔴 pic.twitter.com/c5TwbTaSqa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2025
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How Adnan Januzaj has fared since leaving Manchester United
Januzaj struggled for success on loan at Dortmund or Sunderland, failing to score in either loan move.
United and Jose Mourinho had seen enough and decided to sell Januzaj to Real Sociedad in 2017, where he became a first-team regular.
15 goals in 132 La Liga games for Real Sociedad saw Januzaj show signs of his talent again before leaving for Sevilla in 2022.
That move hasn’t worked out at all, as Januzaj has played just 10 times for Sevilla, and loan spells with Istanbul Basaksehir and Las Palmas haven’t reaped many rewards.
Now 30, Januzaj has managed just 259 minutes of La Liga action this season, struggling for form and fitness.
United fans will feel a sense of disappointment that Januzaj’s early promise didn’t amount to a great Old Trafford career, but that just goes to show the levels required to become a success at United.