I was an academy player, it could have been different if I was bought- Adnan Januzaj on Manchester United

The Belgian winger joined Real Sociedad in 2017 after spending four seasons at Old Trafford.

Former Manchester United player, Adnan Januzaj believes that he would have got more time and opportunities if he had come for a major transfer fee rather than the academy. The Belgian broke into the first team under David Moyes in 2013 and showed great potential.

But the departure of the Scottish manager and a squad overhaul led to a reduction in his chances and then in 2015, he was forced out on loan.

“It could be,” Januzaj told The Telegraph when asked if he played for United at the wrong time.

“Imagine, for example, if I had started here at Real Sociedad and I could have been bought for, I don’t know, a lot of money [by United]. It would have been different."

#OnThisDay in 2015, @adnanjanuzaj scored the only goal as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park.Consecutive 1-0 wins for United after beating Spurs by the same scoreline on the opening day.The first Premier League game played on a Friday night for 11 years. pic.twitter.com/XHJqJdZb3a

— RedReveal (@RedReveal) August 14, 2019

In his two-season stay at Old Trafford, he played 50 matches and scored five times.

"There, I was an academy player, came through the youth and it felt different. Now, if you pay £60-70 million for a player he has more chance to play than you. That’s how football is...."

“I was really young."

“I started in the first team and it’s even harder to take criticism when you are such a young player, but, obviously, people were expecting a lot from me. I wanted to show those people but I didn’t have that small chance to do it.”​

ManUtd Shirt HistoryWill the #11 shirt be unfilled for the 1st time in the premier league era?No player named? 2019-2020Anthony Martial 2016-2019Adnan Januzaj 2014-2016Ryan Giggs 1990-2014Others: Lee Sharpe Simon Davies Danny Wallace#MUFC

— Fletch™ (@FletchTM) August 9, 2019

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The winger represented Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and has been a go-to player for Real Sociedad in Spain.

“La Liga suits my style. It is much more technical, players are much more skilful. The positioning of the players is really clever. In England, it’s a bit more physical, a bit long ball, more direct. In Spain, most of the teams try and play from the back.”