From Soccernet:
Januzaj leaves Old Trafford eager for more
Manchester United's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace was not so much a football match as an audition. If David Moyes is indeed still deciding upon his best starting eleven – and the changes since the loss against Liverpool before the international break suggest that he is – then Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj, the club's two Belgian talents, made compelling cases for their inclusion.
Januzaj, in particular, thrilled Old Trafford in a manner that Manchester United fans have not seen since Nani was last on song. Arriving on the pitch as a substitute for Ashley Young with a bit less than a third of the game to go, his elegant dribbling and movement brought relief to home fans who had seen their team take a one-goal lead and a one-man advantage, but then fail to stifle their newly promoted opponents.
Crystal Palace were superbly resilient in defence, as indeed they had been in the opening game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur, but Januzaj teased apart their back line with an ease that Wayne Rooney – who emerged from his torpor late on to score a fine free kick – generally lacked.
What was perhaps most exciting about Januzaj's performance was the ease with which he linked up with Robin van Persie: There was one moment when they combined for a short corner, and another when Januzaj found him with a backheel down near the left touchline. All of a sudden, the chasm between midfield and attack shrank to vanishing point. Januzaj, in fact, carried the ball into the No. 10 area with more purpose than anyone else had done before his arrival. His energy and distribution stood in stark and unfortunate contrast to that of Anderson, who seemed somewhat off the pace throughout.
Januzaj is only 18, but, after a performance of such assurance, it would be a surprise if he were not to be granted more regular outings.
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