Predicting a wonderkid’s future – so often a feckless task, and yet a game that football fans are all too eager to play. It’s impossible to know what might happen to young players, especially when they carry the burden of representing some of the biggest clubs on the planet.

Some, like Lamine Yamal, take to it like a duck to water. The pressure doesn’t seem to weigh them down, and they have the technical prowess to match. However, there are plenty of sure-fire future stars who look destined to rise to the top but ultimately fall well short. Manchester United fans know all about this, having watched the likes of Federico Macheda and Ravel Morrison fail to reach the heights they once promised.

Another name with a similar story to tell is Adnan Januzaj. The Belgian international was the talk of European football as a teenager, not only attracting interest from several top clubs, but also finding himself at the centre of a tug-of-war between multiple national teams. Now in his early-30s, Januzaj is in what most would consider the prime years of his career. However, his journey has taken a path that few would’ve foreseen.

Januzaj’s Manchester United Career

Having been born in Belgium, Januzaj started his youth career at Anderlecht before being snapped up by the Red Devils in 2011 at the age of 16. Fans would’ve first seen him in and around the first team during Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game in charge of the club, as the teenager was an unused substitute in the 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

With David Moyes at the helm the following campaign, some fleeting appearances came Januzaj’s way before he was finally handed his big break. In his first Premier League start against Sunderland, the winger scored twice – including an incredible volley – to hand his side all three points in a scenario he would’ve been dreaming of the night before.

From that point on, Januzaj became a beloved starlet at Old Trafford. Fans purchased his shirt in their droves and sang his name as they celebrated the emergence of their next great star.

Desperate to avoid another situation like that of Paul Pogba – where a prominent young talent could leave on a free – United tied him down to a five-year deal at the Theatre of Dreams worth £30,000 per week – more than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi earned at his age.

He finished his first full season with four goals and six assists in 35 games and was given the number 11 shirt that once belonged to Ryan Giggs as a sign of the faith the club had in him.

However, his breakthrough season wasn’t welcomed by all. Many of his teammates were reportedly unhappy with the way Januzaj had quickly become a fan favourite during a difficult period for the club. It was also claimed that his closeness with Moyes – who claimed that the Belgian reminded him of Johan Cruyff – alienated him from the rest of the dressing room, according to Andy Mitten:

When Moyes left, things were never the same. Louis van Gaal didn’t take to the youngster, who failed to score the following term. A loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in 2015 lasted just half a season before he returned to United, having failed to make an impact. The same can be said of his time at Sunderland the following year, again under Moyes

By 2017, Januzaj’s race at United was run, and he joined Real Sociedad on a permanent deal – signalling the end of his Old Trafford hopes.

Januzaj’s Career Post-United

The move to Sociedad did at least bring a positive change in fortunes for Januzaj. He spent five years at the club and even won the Copa del Rey in the 2019-20 season. His performances during that time were strong enough to earn him a place in Belgium’s 2018 World Cup squad – years after they had initially won the tug of war to have him represent them internationally, amid interest from the likes of England, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo.

He would go on to score against the Three Lions that summer as the Red Devils finished third in the tournament. However, that spell would ultimately prove to be the peak of his career. He joined Sevilla in 2022, but by the midway point of the season was sent out on loan to Basaksehir FK in Turkey.

In 2024, he moved to Las Palmas on loan, but continued to struggle for game time. He made 20 appearances for the club, with only three of those being starts, as he battled recurring injuries. He was unable to prevent them being relegated to Spain’s second tier at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Januzaj returned to Sevilla in the summer of 2025 but only made 13 appearances for the Andalusian outfit last term. His contract expired this summer and he now finds himself without a club after being released, with his market value standing at just €1 million.

Rewind 12 years and this scenario would have sounded inconceivable to most Manchester United supporters and, indeed, the wider football community. A player with his talent and ability could – and probably should – have achieved far more in the game.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 19/08/2026.

Fantasy Premier League is growing more and more popular with every season that goes by. The free-to-play-game, which was created in 2002, is played by over 13 million people from across the world.

One individual who knows a thing or two about being successful in the game is Ben Crabtree, the winner of the 2016/17 Fantasy Premier League season. Crabtree’s team, FC Crab Dogg, scored 2,564 points over the course of that campaign to etch his name in history.

The Englishman recently appeared on Gianni Buttice’s YouTube channel to reveal his Gameweek 1 squad for the 2026/27 season.

Former FPL Champion Goes Without Bruno Fernandes

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Crabtree, an Everton fan, has picked Carl Rushworth and Senne Lammens as his starting goalkeepers. Rushworth completed a £22.5 million move to Coventry City this summer following a successful loan spell and will start for the club in England’s top tier. Lammens, meanwhile, helped Manchester United to eight clean sheets in the 25/26 Premier League season.

In defence, Crabtree has gone with Riccardo Calafiori, Milan van Ewijk, Vitalii Mykolenko, Jaka Bijol and Josko Gvardiol.

Arsenal boast the best defence in the Premier League but only Calafiori makes it into his side. Gabriel Magalhaes, the top scoring defender in the 2025/26 season, doesn’t make his side.

Morgan Rogers is included in Crabtree’s midfield alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Antoine Semenyo, Bryan Mbuemo and Christos Tzolis. Interestingly, there is no place for Bruno Fernandes, who broke the Premier League assist record in 2025/26 and is at the heart of everything good that Man Utd does.

Erling Haaland costs £15.5m this season, making him the most expensive player in the game’s history. He makes it into Crabtree’s XI alongside Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Current Premier League Champion Gives Tips For Success

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Erik Ibsen beat over 13 million players to win Fantasy Premier League in 2026/27. He has shared the secrets to his success in an interview with the BBC.

He said: “The biggest thing is being consistent. A lot of people have one bad week and then give up on the game. I didn’t start well and was eight millionth in the world after week one, whereas the person who came second was in the top 100.

“It’s easy to forget there are 38 gameweeks and that things can change so much. Many people have a bad week and then burn everything trying to fix things immediately.

“Instead, be patient. If you could plan three or five weeks ahead by looking at upcoming fixtures that’s a great start.”

He added: “I think it’s really fun to add your own touch to the game. But if you really want to be competitive and still have players from your own team, you need to do an extra step of research.

“As an Evertonian I really like Thierno Barry, but he shares minutes with Beto so as an FPL asset it’s not a great idea. Mixing these two worlds is possible although it it will be harder for some teams.

“If you’re a Manchester City fan, of course you can pick Erling Haaland. If you support Hull, well, good luck.”