Prodigiously talented but kept away from the Premier League's bully boys by an overly cautious David Moyes in the second half of 2013-14, this season could just belong to Adnan Januzaj.
Louis van Gaal has arrived at Old Trafford and brought with him a 3-5-2 system in which the Belgium international could thrive.
Ashley Young - a man maligned by many in 2013-14 - has already had a new lease of life under the Dutchman, adapting his game in pre-season in order to fill either wing-back position. Januzaj could be required to do the same.
Often deployed on the left by Moyes, Januzaj burst into the public consciousness with a brilliant brace against Sunderland last October. Skilful and able to beat players with a single shimmy, Januzaj is arguably the most talented youngster United have had since Cristiano Ronaldo arrived from Sporting Club de Portugal.
There are deficiencies in his game that must be ironed out - he doesn't track back enough and is guilty of going down too easily on occasion - but Van Gaal is the manager to turn the teenager into a complete winger. Memphis Depay, a highly-rated but rarely mentioned winger before the World Cup, felt the Van Gaal effect in Brazil and is now being linked with Europe's elite, having proven his worth in Brazil.
It may not be an easy path, but if Januzaj can be moulded by Van Gaal into a wingback - or even a No.10 - then it could be a very bright season for the Belgium international.
Louis van Gaal has arrived at Old Trafford and brought with him a 3-5-2 system in which the Belgium international could thrive.
Ashley Young - a man maligned by many in 2013-14 - has already had a new lease of life under the Dutchman, adapting his game in pre-season in order to fill either wing-back position. Januzaj could be required to do the same.
Often deployed on the left by Moyes, Januzaj burst into the public consciousness with a brilliant brace against Sunderland last October. Skilful and able to beat players with a single shimmy, Januzaj is arguably the most talented youngster United have had since Cristiano Ronaldo arrived from Sporting Club de Portugal.
There are deficiencies in his game that must be ironed out - he doesn't track back enough and is guilty of going down too easily on occasion - but Van Gaal is the manager to turn the teenager into a complete winger. Memphis Depay, a highly-rated but rarely mentioned winger before the World Cup, felt the Van Gaal effect in Brazil and is now being linked with Europe's elite, having proven his worth in Brazil.
It may not be an easy path, but if Januzaj can be moulded by Van Gaal into a wingback - or even a No.10 - then it could be a very bright season for the Belgium international.