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The perfect time for Januzaj's United revival

Adnan Januzaj has had minimal impact for Manchester United this season - so far © PA Photos

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When David Moyes gave Adnan Januzaj his debut 12 months ago he was repaid with two goals and one of the brightest starts a United player has had in years.

"In all my time he is one of the best young players I have worked with," Moyes said recently. But has Januzaj been marginalised by United's summer spending spree?

In recent weeks, Januzaj has had to content himself with life in the under-21s, for whom he scored a hat-trick before the international break, and life on the bench at Old Trafford. It is not the progress he would have hoped for after being the saving grace of United's season and a World Cup call-up with Belgium.

The general assumption is that Januzaj is vying with Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata for the spot behind strikers Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie. "He is competing with some very good players" said manager Louis van Gaal recently when asked why he had not given the youngster more playing time. No kidding.

That seems fair enough, but a look at the form of those players suggests this could be Januzaj's week to hit the first team. Rooney continues his suspension which, most would assume, puts Januzaj head-to-head with Juan Mata on Monday night.

However, Van Persie has been far from convincing recently and the Netherlands have just been historically humbled by Iceland. The talismanic striker's performance was so bad midweek that one Icelandic commentator was moved to describe him as "non-existent."

What's more, Falcao has just travelled a great distance for the match against Canada and has not hit full match fitness yet. United's Argentinians, Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria, travelled as far as China for a friendly against Hong Kong and could understandably suffer for the journey.

Mata was not called into action for Spain and should theoretically be fresh for the upcoming fixtures. However, Van Gaal is rumoured to be dubious about the Spaniard's worth, and he hasn't taken his chance to replace Rooney with the gusto expected. Mata's numbers are good, though. This season he has scored twice and provided one assist in his five games. Januzaj has had minimal impact in the four times he has taken the pitch.

In his defence, Januzaj has not been handed the starting berths Mata has enjoyed and, when he has been on the pitch, he has offered more dynamism than anybody else other than Di Maria.

Nonetheless, United look a bit short on front men with a full tank under the bonnet after the internationals, and United have far from a settled team. Given those circumstances, Januzaj could find himself anywhere in the front four if Van Persie or Falcao find themselves rested.

The manager was keen to point out that none of the players returned injured from the international break and that the recent crisis had diminished to just four in sickbay. Antonio Valencia, one of those four, has been a consistent starter, and Januzaj could be realistically deployed on the right against West Brom.

It is entirely possible that Van Gaal could pull another tactical rabbit out of the hat, and West Brom will not be an obliging opponent. Last season they beat United at Old Trafford, and this fixture finished 5-5 two years ago.

For many, the home defeat to West Brim last year was the point when they realised things weren't right. United's players looked lacklustre and something was missing. This match is the chance for Van Gaal to show the club is back on track.

Despite the sad legacy of Moyes' tenure at United, he was the man who gave Januzaj his debut and backed him. Nobody is complaining that United spent money this summer, but there isn't a fan in the stands who doesn't want to see Januzaj do well.

A start against West Brom would be a great opportunity for him to show what he can do.

This article originally appeared on ESPN FC

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