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Van Persie hails 'one of best' Januzaj

Januzaj has impressed since breaking into the United line-up © Getty Images

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Robin van Persie believes Adnan Januzaj is "top one or two" young players he has ever worked with.

The 18-year-old has broken into the Manchester United team this season after making his debut in the Community Shield and scoring twice on his first start - against Sunderland in the Premier League.

And before that, he impressed on United's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, which convinced striker van Persie that he is a huge talent.

The Dutchman played with several gifted teenagers in his years at Arsenal, including Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, and feels Januzaj is as good as any he has seen.

"He's a great player and I'm a great fan of his," van Persie told British daily newspapers. "I thought earlier in pre-season that he has something special.

"Over the years I've seen so many young players and I can honestly say that of all the young players I've seen he is right up there in the top one or two."

Januzaj recently signed a new five-year contract at Old Trafford and van Persie believes that is great news for United.

He added: "He's a special player. He will give Manchester United a great bunch of goals and great games."

Van Persie believes Januzaj is not fazed by the pressure of playing for United.

He said: "He's confident in a good way. He's not too bothered with the whole occasion or the pressure of the games. When I go back 10 years when I was quite young I see similar attributes.

"I was very confident as well and I see some stuff in him and the choices he makes that I made when I was younger as well."

Despite that, however, he said Januzaj should not be compared to him.

He added: "He's not the new van Persie, he's the new Adnan. Everyone is their own player."

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