Nicky Butt has told The Times that Adnan Januzaj is good enough to return to Manchester United after his Sunderland loan spell and break into the team at Old Trafford.
Januzaj, 21, will spend the campaign on a season-long loan at Sunderland, and Butt believes the winger has the quality to play for United if he concentrates on developing his game.
United sold Tyler Blackett, Donald Love, Paddy McNair and Will Keane this summer, and while he does not believe they were good enough for the Red Devils, Butt wants to see Januzaj part of the United first team.
“They’re really good lads and will have a good life, nice houses but they weren’t at the level for United,” Butt said. “It doesn’t hurt me as much as, say, if Adnan Januzaj went and never came back.
“He’s got the level to play for United and win leagues and Champions Leagues. Maybe he’s not been as dedicated, a case of too much too soon, a millionaire now.”
Januzaj, 21, has seen his career stagnate in the past two seasons after bursting onto the scene under David Moyes in the 2013-14 season.
He was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund for the first half of last season but the deal was terminated after he made just three starts for the club, and the second half of last season saw him on the fringes at Old Trafford.
The Belgium international has another chance to resurrect his career under Moyes at Sunderland, and scored the winner in the club’s EFL Cup win over Shrewsbury Town.
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