Sports

Adnan Januzaj – What’s Happened to Former Wonderkid Tipped to Become Man Utd Legend

Published

1 hour ago

August 19, 2026

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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:

“Januzaj’s rise caused problems among the other players. They were already reeling under Moyes’ tenure and the drop in form. Players didn’t like it when a cocksure, cap-wearing kid broke into the first team and started being serenaded in a glorious song by fans desperate to salvage some positive from the car crash of United’s 2013-14 season.

“Januzaj behaved like he had won the jackpot, full of himself as you probably need to be to break into United’s first team as a teenager. He was also seen as Moyes’ man and given that the manager was having struggles with his players as the team fell apart, that wasn’t a positive.”

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.

Adnan Januzaj’s Career Ranked by Appearances
Club	Games	Goals	Assists
Real Sociedad	168	23	22
Manchester United	63	5	6
Sevilla	30	2	1
Sunderland	28	1	3
Las Palmas	20	2	1
Basaksehir	17	3	3
Belgium	15	1	2
Borussia Dortmund	12	0	2

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.

Sports

Tottenham Tell Liverpool ‘Bid is Coming’ for Cody Gakpo

Published

3 minutes ago

August 19, 2026

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Tottenham Hotspur have told Liverpool that they will bid for Cody Gakpo once the Merseyside outfit finalises a move for Bradley Barcola.

It’s set to be a busy end to the transfer window at Anfield. The Reds have already recruited Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz but Andoni Iraola is yet to add an experienced forward to his front line following the departure of Mohamed Salah.

All signs point towards that being Paris Saint-Germain star Barcola, who has refused to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes and subsequently been left out of the matchday squad by Luis Enrique. The Frenchman’s arrival at Liverpool could trigger the sale of Gakpo.

Tottenham Hotspur prepare £70m Liverpool bid

Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof has provided the latest on Gakpo’s future when speaking to The Redmen TV. The reporter claims that discussions about the player are already underway behind the scenes between Liverpool and Tottenham.

The things that I’ve heard around the player and Tottenham Hotspur is that he’s open to the move. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so he’s not desperate to leave, but when they come over and make him a star player and all the things are set up… I think it could be a very quick transfer.

“Spurs have already announced to Liverpool that they are coming in with a bid when Barcola or another striker is coming in [to Anfield].

“They already know what Liverpool are demanding, around £70million. With Barcola already coming in – and Barcola is not coming for the bench, he’s coming to play on the left wing.”

Gakpo made 52 appearances across all competitions last season under Arne Slot, and managed just nine goals and six assists across those outings. Those 15 goal contributions were a fall from the 25 the winger hit over the 2024/25 campaign.

Cody Gakpo goal contributions at Liverpool:

	Goals	Assists	Goal Contributions
2022/23	7	3	10
2023/24	16	7	23
2024/25	18	7	25
2025/26	9	6	15

The £250,000-a-week forward enjoyed an impressive World Cup with three goals and an assist for the Netherlands, but faces serious competition on the left flank should Barcola arrive at Liverpool. Iraola also has rising star Munoz competing for a place, following his £34.5 million move from Osasuna.

Those arrivals are believed to have led to Gakpo believing his long-term future is not at Liverpool and, while he will not press the club for an exit this summer, the chance to be a starting XI shoo-in under Roberto De Zerbi is a tempting prospect.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

It would be another marquee addition for Tottenham, who have already spent considerably over £200 million on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer.

Spurs spent significant sums on Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel last summer but the trio of forwards failed to impress as the North London side flirted with relegation under Thomas Frank.

Gakpo only signed a new deal with Liverpool last year and is under contract at Anfield until 2030. The Reds paid around £40 million to sign the player from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023.

Sports

Brock Rechsteiner Uses WWE Move in NFL Practice Brawl

Published

26 minutes ago

August 19, 2026

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The New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys’ joint practice session looked more like a WWE match at times, with Brock Rechsteiner at the heart of the action.

Son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner and current Superstar Bron Breakker, Rechsteiner followed up a minicamp tryout by signing with the Saints earlier this year.

Several fights reportedly broke out during Tuesday’s session, with altercations reaching double digits. Rechsteiner’s physical battle with Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson caught the eye, going viral on social media.

Son of WWE Hall of Famer Goes Viral in NFL Fight

In a clip that surfaced online, the 23-year-old initially got heated with Dallas cornerback Caelen Carson. After his face mask was almost pulled off, Rechsteiner then turned his attention to Thompson, who was one of many players to get themselves involved in the scuffle.

Members of both teams flew into the heart of the fight, with Thompson quickly finding himself stuck in a waistlock. Rechsteiner then tossed his opponent up in the air with a suplex, a move his father and cousin would be proud of. Watch the footage below.

It wasn’t the only controversial moment of the session. Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku threw a punch before being tossed by officials. Meanwhile, Erik McCoy of the Saints threw an opponent’s helmet in the air. NBC claimed as many as 10 fights broke out.

Brian Schottenheimer, the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach, spoke out about the incidents. He shared his annoyance, saying (per talkSPORT): “Right now, I’m in charge of fight club. We’re going to play on the edge and we’re not going to take s*** from anybody.”

He then admitted it was a two-sided issue, with his players giving as good as they got. “But at the same time, I don’t think (the Saints) were the only ones stirring up the s***. I think we might’ve been stirring it up as well. It was a sloppy practice all in all, and it’s got to be better.”

Fans Suggest Career Change For NFL Star

After watching the clip, many fans have suggested Rechsteiner has a future career in the squared circle. After all, his family ties indicate he could have what it takes to make it as a WWE Superstar.

One fan wrote on X: “Can’t wait for him and Bron to win the tag titles in five years,” while another added: “You can easily see how Brock Rechsteiner is Scott Steiner’s son.”

“Gotta pick someone else to mess with. That guy was raised in a family of monsters,” was the assessment of one X user. It’s also believed that the clip of his recent suplex will live on in memory: “This is going to be on his highlights when he goes to WWE in the future.”

Sports

Man Utd ‘Very Interested’ in Signing Lewis-Skelly After Baleba

Published

48 minutes ago

August 19, 2026

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Manchester United are ‘very interested’ in signing Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly this summer, but any move will decide on the Gunners, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Man United are closing in on their third midfield signing of the summer in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, although they will need to increase their initial £65m bid, according to David Ornstein, reporting on Wednesday morning.

If the Red Devils tie up a deal for the Cameroon international, they are likely to turn their attentions to strengthening other positions in the team, including at left-back and potentially a new striker.

A new left-back has been a priority position for a while now, with some inside the club said to believe Patrick Dorgu is better equipped to play further forward.

Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is one player who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the Magpies are understandably reluctant to let the England international leave having already lost Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali this summer.

United have also been linked with a move for Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly, with the player offered to the Red Devils this summer, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

Lewis-Skelly currently appears intent on remaining at the Emirates Stadium, but United would be very keen to bring him in should the Gunners decide to sell the talented teenager.

Speaking on his latest YouTube video on Wednesday morning, Romano said:

“Guys, on Lewis-Skelly, I’m told that the player wants to stay at Arsenal, that the player is in love with Arsenal.

Then, if Arsenal decide to sell the player and tell him, “Okay, you can go’, in that case, Man United and other clubs could be very interested in the boy.

“Man United like Miles Lewis-Skelly, and let me say, who doesn’t like Miles Lewis-Skelly? Fantastic talent, but at the moment the player absolutely wants to stay at Arsenal, and there is no movement happening.

“If Arsenal, from now to the end of the window, decides to open the door to make money, to make profit, for whatever reason, in that case, United could be one of the clubs interested. But again, it’s important to say that the boy absolutely wants to stay at Arsenal and is happy at Arsenal.”

Lewis-Skelly Would be Better Signing Than Lewis Hall

Lewis Hall is clearly a quality player, as he has proven for Newcastle and England, but it feels like Lewis-Skelly has something very special about him.

Despite being 19 years of age, the Englishman has shown he can perform at the highest level in an Arsenal shirt in the Premier League and the Champions League, and he looks to have an absolutely huge future ahead of him.

He found first-team opportunities harder to come by in 2025-26, but he has stepped up to the plate when called upon, including in the 3-0 win against Manchester City in the Community Shield at the weekend.

The other huge advantage for signing Lewis-Skelly is the fact that he played in midfield against City, somewhere he can feature as well as at left-back.

Mikel Arteta was certainly full of praise for the teenager following his performance against Fulham back in May.

“He fully deserves it. I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team. He had some difficult moments after that, but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready.

He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance.