Youngster Can Emulate Ozil And Make United Champions League Contenders

Former Manchester United defender Henning Berg has claimed that Adnan Januzaj can emulate Arsenal star Mesut Ozil and fire the club into contention for the Champions League trophy.

Januzaj received a surprise nomination for the Young Sports Personality of the Year award this week, after a breakthrough season for United saw the 18 year old sign a lucrative deal with the club and receive 10 appearances for the side.

And Berg believes that Januzaj is much like Arsenal's Ozil, who since his move to the Emirates has had a huge impact on the Premier League and the north London side's hopes of breaking their trophyless spell.

He told the United website: "David Moyes said he lacks one or two world class players for the team to be top in Europe but I think he has one extra world class player coming through the ranks. He reminds me of Mesut Özil in terms of temperament, awareness and understanding. I said that when I first saw him.

"He just needs to be handled the right way and I'm 100 per cent sure that the manager will know how to do it and, if not, they can always ask Sir Alex.

"People should not take these things for granted because you don't see players like this come through very often, so supporters and fans should appreciate seeing a kid like that playing with the big players because that is something special."

Januzaj's commitment to United this season came amongst interest from clubs across Europe and Moyes will certainly be hopeful that the teen can continue to have an impact as the Red Devils look to get back in the mix with Arsenal at the top of the table.

If the youngster can be a spark for the side much like Ozil has been for Arsenal, he will provide a much-needed midfield option for the manager who was criticised for failing to land a creative player in the summer.