Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj: I want to prove Manchester United were wrong to loan me out
Winger says his 'never give up' attitude will drive him on to impress Jose Mourinho during Black Cats spell
ADNAN JANUZAJ is desperate to prove Manchester United were wrong to loan him out this season.
The Belgian was seen as the next big thing at Old Trafford when he burst onto the scene three years ago.
But Januzaj was shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund by Louis van Gaal last term.
And new United boss Jose Mourinho was also happy to let the winger leave to Sunderland in the summer.
Now Januzaj has been reunited with David Moyes - the manager who handed him his Red Devils debut.
And he wants to show Mourinho what he is missing by shining at the Stadium of Light.
Januzaj, 21, said: “For two years I didn’t have many chances to play. But I came here to Sunderland to play games and to prove people that they were wrong.
“It is not to re-establish myself, it is just to prove to some of the people that they were wrong. So I will work hard to show they were wrong over the past few years.
“Part of my mentality is to never give up, even if something goes a bit wrong you always have to keep working – and that is what I have been doing."
Januzaj still has his backers at Manchester United - not least Academy chief Nicky Butt.
The former England midfielder admitted this week he would be “hurt” if the playmaker did not return to Old Trafford.
Butt did question Januzaj’s dedication but added: “He’s got the level to play for United and win leagues and Champions Leagues.”
For now though, Januzaj is just delighted to be back working with Moyes and feels his fitness and form is improving with every game he plays.
He has played all 90 minutes in Sunderland’s last two Premier League matches and also scored the winner in the EFL Cup against Shrewsbury.
And ahead of tomorrow's visit of Crystal Palace, Januzaj said: “I’m back with the same manager - he gives me a lot of chances to play and to prove myself to people.
“He asked me if I wanted to come here and I said that I wanted to play. He has given me the opportunity to do that, and I am really grateful for it.
“I am happy to be where I am and playing games because I wasn’t playing many games before, getting consistency was very difficult.
“Here already I have started three games and I think I have built my fitness back slowly, and I want to kick on.”