ADNAN JANUZAJ’S DISASTROUS loan spell with Borussia Dortmund has reportedly been cut short after Louis van Gaal requested the winger return to Manchester United.
The German club have agreed to terminate the season-long loan and Januzaj is expected to return to Manchester next week, according to widespread reports this evening.
The 20-year-old has made just 12 appearances since moving to Dortmund in August with his last outing coming in the Europa League clash against Paok Salonika on 10 December.
Januzaj’s impending return to Old Trafford boosts the attacking options available to van Gaal, although it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be sent back out on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
He featured four times for United before heading to the Bundesliga club, and scored the winner in the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.
Van Gaal has been unhappy with Januzaj’s lack of playing time and his return should be finalised within the next 24 hours.
Speaking about Januzaj last November, van Gaal admitted he wanted the player to stay in the Premier League and warned of the risks of going abroad.
“I said in advance that is a big risk, because you have to compete with other players of a higher level and that is not so easy,” van Gaal said.
“It is the same as at Manchester United. He has to compete with higher-level players. I want him to play all the matches and that is why I wanted to play him in the Premier League, but he chose Borussia Dortmund.
“We have to wait and see [if the move works out] because now he doesn’t play. I am certain he has the talent to play, but he has to learn a lot of things.”
Last week, van Gaal recalled striker Will Keane from his loan spell at Preston North End with the youngster expected to be given his chance in the FA Cup this weekend.
